⚡ 1480 RENAISSANCE DR

MEMORANDUM

TO: Sunland America Corp. Development Team

FROM: Senior BESS Site Evaluation Analyst

DATE: October 26, 2023

SUBJECT: Comprehensive Site Diligence Analysis for APN 09221100050000 (1480 Renaissance Dr, Park Ridge, IL)

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for the property located at 1480 Renaissance Dr, Park Ridge, IL, for its potential as a distribution-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. The analysis identifies significant opportunities related to federal incentives but also flags critical risks concerning grid interconnection and local permitting that must be addressed immediately.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access: The site has frontage on Renaissance Drive, a public road within a developed commercial office park. Based on satellite imagery, the road appears to be paved and well-maintained, suitable for standard construction traffic.

Equipment Delivery: The road network in this suburban Chicago area is robust. Access from major highways like I-294 appears straightforward. Renaissance Drive and surrounding commercial roads are likely designed to accommodate large delivery trucks, which is a positive indicator for the delivery of heavy equipment such as BESS containers, pad-mount transformers, and switchgear. A detailed route survey would be required prior to delivery, but initial assessment is favorable.

Topography: The site is in Cook County, Illinois, an area known for its extremely flat terrain. We can assume a slope of less than 2%, which is ideal for BESS development as it minimizes the need for extensive civil work and grading. This significantly reduces site preparation costs and construction complexity.

Easement Concerns: While direct site access is public, a critical unknown is the easement situation for the interconnection route. The path from the site to the eventual Point of Interconnection (POI) will require a utility easement. If the route involves crossing third-party parcels, securing these easements can be a time-consuming and costly process. This risk is amplified by the current lack of an identified POI.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: The FEMA flood zone designation is listed as Unknown. This is a critical data gap and a potential fatal flaw. Verification via the FEMA Map Service Center is a top priority. If the site is located within a 100-year floodplain (e.g., Zone AE), development costs will increase substantially due to the need to elevate all equipment above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Siting within a designated floodway is typically prohibitive.

Wetlands: The presence of wetlands is Unknown. A desktop review using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is required immediately. If potential wetlands are identified, a formal wetland delineation will be necessary. Any jurisdictional wetlands would trigger significant setbacks (typically 50-100 feet) and could reduce the buildable area, potentially impacting the project's planned capacity.

Critical Habitat / Species: The data indicates no critical habitat or protected areas on or near the site, which is a significant de-risking factor. A routine check of the USFWS IPaC database is still recommended as part of standard diligence.

Brownfield/Superfund Status: There is one Superfund site noted within a 2-mile radius, but not on the subject parcel. The property's current use as an office building makes it unlikely to be a contaminated site. However, this presents a potential opportunity. If a Phase I ESA reveals historical usage that allows the site to be classified as a "brownfield" under IRA guidelines, the project would be eligible for a 10% ITC bonus adder. This warrants further investigation, as it could be a significant financial advantage.

Pipeline Proximity: No major gas transmission pipelines are identified within a 3-mile radius, mitigating risks associated with pipeline-related setbacks and safety protocols.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Nearest Substation: This is the most critical information gap. The nearest substation, its voltage, and available