⚡ 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 "Project Renaissance"

PROPERTY: 1480 RENAISSANCE DR, Park Ridge, Cook County, IL (APN: 09221100050000)

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for the potential acquisition and development of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the subject property. The analysis identifies several critical data gaps and significant risks, primarily concerning grid interconnection and zoning. However, the site benefits from a valuable 10% ITC adder due to its location within an Energy Community. The following sections detail the findings and provide actionable recommendations for next steps.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access & Feasibility: The property is located within a developed suburban office park in Park Ridge, IL. Access is listed as "Public," and satellite imagery confirms the site is served by Renaissance Drive, a well-maintained, paved road. This existing infrastructure is highly advantageous, suggesting that standard construction vehicles and delivery trucks can easily access the site.

Terrain Characteristics: The topography in this region of Cook County is characteristically flat. This significantly reduces the need for extensive civil engineering and grading work, lowering potential site preparation costs. The existing parcel appears to be graded and was likely prepared for the original office park development.

Heavy Equipment Access: The road network appears capable of supporting the delivery of heavy equipment, including transformers, switchgear, and containerized BESS units. A detailed route survey would be required to confirm the absence of low-clearance bridges, tight turning radii, or weight-restricted roads on the final delivery path from the nearest interstate.

Easement Concerns: As an established commercial parcel, legal access easements are expected to be in place. However, a significant discrepancy exists between the listed "Total Acres" (35.02) and the "Parcel Acres (Regrid)" (2.97). It is likely the 2.97 acres is the correct size for this specific APN. An ALTA survey is critical to confirm the exact boundaries and identify any utility, drainage, or access easements that may encumber the buildable area. The smaller parcel size significantly constrains the potential project MW capacity.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: The FEMA flood zone designation is currently Unknown. This is a critical data gap. If the site is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (e.g., Zone AE), it could necessitate elevating all equipment above the Base Flood Elevation, adding substantial cost and complexity. A desktop review using the FEMA Map Service Center is an immediate next step.

Wetlands: The presence of wetlands is Unknown. A preliminary screening using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is required. If potential wetlands are identified, a formal wetland delineation will be necessary, which could trigger significant setbacks and reduce the buildable area.

Critical Habitat / Endangered Species: The data indicates no critical habitat or protected areas on site, which is a significant positive, reducing the risk of lengthy and complex consultations with wildlife agencies.

Brownfield/Superfund Status: There is one Superfund site located within two miles of the property. While this does not qualify the project for the 10% IRA brownfield tax credit adder (which requires the project to be on the brownfield site), it introduces a risk of potential soil or groundwater contamination. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is mandatory to assess this risk and establish a baseline environmental condition.

Pipeline Proximity: The absence of major gas pipelines within a three-mile radius is a notable safety and design advantage, eliminating concerns related to pipeline setbacks and potential operational hazards.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Nearest Substation & Capacity: This is the most critical unknown for the project. The data for the nearest substation (distance, voltage) is missing. For a distribution-scale project (≤5MW), proximity to a distribution substation with available capacity is paramount. Without this information, interconnection feasibility cannot be determined. Identifying the local Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) substation and its feeder circuits is the highest priority diligence item.

Transmission Infrastructure: A 138kV ComEd transmission line is located 1.5 miles away. This is not a viable Point of Interconnection (POI) for a distribution-scale project. The cost of a 1.5-mile gen-tie and a new substation for a transmission-level tap would be prohibitively expensive, likely exceeding $5-10 million, making the project economically unfeasible.

Recommended Interconnection: The only viable path is a distribution-level interconnection to a