⚡ 1480 RENAISSANCE DR

TO: Sunland America Corp. Development Committee

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)

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access: The site benefits from direct access via Renaissance Drive, which is a public, paved road within a developed commercial office park. Satellite imagery review indicates the road network is well-maintained and designed to accommodate commercial traffic, including delivery trucks. This is a significant advantage for both construction and ongoing operations & maintenance.

Terrain & Equipment Feasibility: The property is located in the greater Chicago metropolitan area, which is characterized by exceptionally flat terrain. We anticipate minimal grading will be required, substantially reducing site preparation costs. The existing road infrastructure appears capable of supporting heavy equipment delivery, including semi-trucks carrying battery containers, switchgear, and pad-mount transformers. A detailed route survey would be required to confirm turning radii and the absence of low-clearance obstacles, but initial assessment is highly positive.

Easement Concerns: As a developed commercial parcel, the site is almost certain to be encumbered by existing utility, access, and drainage easements. The "Total Acres" figure of 35.02 is in stark contrast to the Regrid parcel size of 2.98 acres; this discrepancy must be resolved. We will operate under the assumption the 2.98-acre parcel is the target. A title report and ALTA survey are mandatory next steps to identify all easements and determine the true buildable envelope. These existing easements could constrain the BESS layout and require careful site planning.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone & Wetlands: Requires Verification. The FEMA flood zone and wetlands status are currently unknown. This represents a critical data gap and a potential fatal flaw. Any designation within a 100-year floodplain (Zone A/AE) would trigger significant design challenges, elevate construction costs due to requirements for raising equipment, and could make permitting impossible. Similarly, the presence of jurisdictional wetlands would necessitate avoidance, extensive setbacks, and potentially lengthy and costly permitting through the Army Corps of Engineers. A desktop screening using FEMA and National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps is an immediate priority.

Habitat & Protected Species: The data indicates no critical habitat or protected areas on or near the site. Given its location within a developed office park, the risk of encountering endangered species is considered very low. A desktop review should be sufficient to confirm this.

Brownfield/Superfund Status: The parcel itself is not identified as a brownfield. While there is a Superfund site within two miles, it is unlikely to impact this property directly. However, a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is required to confirm the absence of on-site contamination from current or historical uses. This ESA is also necessary to definitively determine if the site could qualify as a "brownfield site" under IRA guidelines, which would unlock a 10% ITC adder. Based on current information (an office building), this is unlikely, but the possibility should be investigated.

Other Considerations: The site is not within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. Proximity to pipelines and gas wells is not a concern, with none identified within a multi-mile radius, which simplifies safety planning and setback requirements.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Nearest Substation & Distribution Feeder: Requires Verification. This is the most significant unknown and the highest-risk item for the project. The dataset provides no information on the nearest substation or distribution lines. Without a viable Point of Interconnection (POI), the site is not feasible. The immediate priority is to conduct a desktop grid analysis to identify the nearest Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) substation and, more importantly, the closest 3-phase distribution feeder. The site's location in a commercial park strongly suggests a 3-phase feeder is nearby, but its voltage (likely 12.47kV or 34.5kV) and available capacity are unknown.

Transmission Infrastructure: A 138kV ComEd transmission line is located 1.5 miles from the site. For a distribution-scale project (≤5MW), this is not a viable POI. The cost of a 1.5-mile gen-tie and a new substation to step up to 138kV