⚡ 1480 RENAISSANCE DR

MEMORANDUM

TO: Sunland America Corp. Investment Committee
FROM: Senior BESS Site Evaluation Analyst
DATE: October 26, 2023
SUBJECT: Comprehensive Site Diligence Analysis for "Project O'Hare" (1480 Renaissance Dr, Park Ridge, IL)

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for a potential distribution-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project at 1480 Renaissance Dr, Park Ridge, Cook County, IL (APN: 09221100050000). The analysis evaluates the site's suitability across key development pillars, identifies critical risks, and recommends actionable next steps.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access: The site exhibits excellent road access. It is located within a well-developed commercial office park with direct frontage on Renaissance Drive, a paved, public road. Major arterial access is provided by South Cumberland Avenue, which connects directly to Interstate 90 (I-90) and Interstate 294 (I-294). This prime logistical location is highly advantageous for both construction and operational phases.

Terrain & Equipment Feasibility: Based on aerial imagery and regional geographic data, the site is exceptionally flat, consistent with the general topography of the Chicago metropolitan area. This lack of significant grade change will minimize civil engineering costs related to site grading and foundation work. The existing road network is robust and designed to handle commercial vehicle traffic, indicating that delivery of heavy equipment—including multi-ton transformers, switchgear, and containerized BESS units—is feasible without requiring significant road upgrades.

Easement Concerns: As a developed commercial parcel, the property is almost certainly encumbered by existing utility easements (e.g., power, water, sewer, telecommunications). A full ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey and a Title Commitment are required to identify the precise location and nature of these easements. They could constrain the final BESS layout and must be incorporated into site design to avoid conflicts. No access easements are anticipated to be required due to direct public road frontage.

2. Environmental Constraints

Flood & Wetlands: FEMA Flood Zone and wetlands status are currently Unknown. This represents a significant data gap. Given the site's proximity to the Des Plaines River (approx. 1.5 miles west), a detailed review of FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) is a critical immediate step. Any location within a 100-year floodplain (Zone AE) would likely render the site undevelopable or require cost-prohibitive mitigation. Similarly, a desktop screening using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is required, to be followed by a formal wetland delineation if any potential wetlands are identified.

Contamination Risk: The property is not listed as a brownfield, but there is one Superfund site located within a two-mile radius. This proximity necessitates a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) to determine if historical activities on or near the parcel have resulted in contamination. While a nearby site poses a risk, if the subject parcel itself is determined to be a "brownfield site" as defined by CERCLA § 101(39), it could qualify for the 10% IRA brownfield tax credit adder. This is a potential opportunity but must be treated as a risk until a Phase I ESA clarifies the site's history.

Other Constraints: The site has no identified critical habitats, protected areas, or nearby pipelines, which are significant positives that de-risk the project from ecological and safety standpoints. The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area is not applicable.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Grid Proximity: This is the most critical unknown for the project. The nearest identified infrastructure is a 138kV Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) transmission line 1.5 miles away. This is too distant and high-voltage for a cost-effective interconnection for a ≤5MW project. The location and capacity of the nearest substation and distribution feeder are Unknown. A preliminary desktop search suggests a potential substation approximately 0.5 miles east, but its voltage and available capacity are unverified.

Interconnection Strategy: The only viable path for a project of this scale is a distribution-level interconnection, likely at 12.47kV or 34.5kV. The project's feasibility is entirely dependent on the proximity of a 3-phase distribution feeder with sufficient hosting capacity.

Cost & Timeline Estimate: Without a known Point of Interconnection (POI), costs are highly speculative. A best-case scenario (tapping an adjacent overhead feeder) could range from $750,000 to $1.5 million. A worst-case scenario