⚡ 1480 RENAISSANCE DR

TO: Sunland America Corp. Development Team

FROM: Senior BESS Site Evaluation Analyst

DATE: October 26, 2023

SUBJECT: Comprehensive Site Diligence Analysis for APN 09221100050000 (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. The analysis is based on preliminary data and identifies key risks, opportunities, and recommended next steps.

Initial Finding: There is a significant discrepancy in the provided acreage data. The parent parcel is listed at 35.02 acres, while the specific APN is listed at 2.97 acres. This analysis assumes the project will be sited on the 2.97-acre parcel, which is sufficient for a ≤5MW BESS project. This must be confirmed immediately.

1. Site Access & Topography

• Road Access & Feasibility: The site exhibits excellent access. It is located in a modern office park directly adjacent to Interstate 294, with access from S. Dee Road and Renaissance Drive. These are wide, paved, public roads capable of handling heavy truck traffic. No immediate access quality concerns are noted.
• Terrain Characteristics: As is typical for the Chicago metropolitan area, the site is presumed to be flat with minimal grade. This is highly advantageous, as it will significantly reduce civil engineering and site preparation costs. No major earthwork is anticipated.
• Heavy Equipment Access: Access for large, heavy equipment, including mobile cranes for setting transformers and switchgear, and flatbed trucks delivering battery containers and inverters, appears to be straightforward. The existing road network and likely presence of large parking lots on or adjacent to the parcel provide ample maneuvering and staging areas.
• Easement Concerns: While public road access is confirmed, a full title report is required to identify any potential access easements, utility easements, or restrictive covenants that could encumber the property and dictate the final site layout. Given the commercial office park setting, utility easements are highly likely to be present.

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 A, AE), development will be complicated by requirements for elevating equipment above the Base Flood Elevation, potentially rendering the project economically unviable. This must be investigated as a top priority.
• Wetlands: The presence of jurisdictional wetlands is Unknown. A desktop review of the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) database is the immediate next step. Any potential presence will trigger the need for a formal wetland delineation and could impose significant setbacks or require costly mitigation, reducing the buildable area.
• Critical Habitat / Endangered Species: The data indicates no critical habitat or protected areas on or near the site. This is a positive finding that significantly de-risks the environmental permitting process.
• Brownfield/Superfund Status: The parcel itself is not identified as a brownfield. While there is a superfund site within two miles, it does not confer IRA bonus eligibility for this specific parcel. The primary implication is the need for a thorough Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) to ensure no contamination has migrated to the subject property. This is a risk, not an advantage.
• Pipeline Proximity: No major gas transmission pipelines are identified within a three-mile radius. This is a significant safety and permitting advantage, eliminating the need for complex pipeline setback analyses and consultations.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

• Nearest Substation: This is the most critical unknown. Data on the nearest Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) distribution substation, including its distance, capacity, and feeder voltage, is missing. Identifying a viable Point of Interconnection (POI) is paramount. The project's viability is entirely dependent on the proximity and available capacity of a 3-phase distribution feeder.
• Transmission Proximity: A 138kV ComEd transmission line is located 1.5 miles from the site. For a distribution-scale (≤5MW) project, this is not a viable POI. The cost to construct a 1.5-mile tie-line and a dedicated substation would be prohibitively expensive (estimated $5M - $10M).
• Recommended Interconnection: The only feasible path is a distribution-level interconnection, likely at 12.47kV or 34.5kV, to a local ComEd feeder serving the office park. Verification of the presence, location (overhead vs. underground), and voltage of this feeder is a top priority.
• Estimated Cost & Timeline: Requires Verification. Assuming a suitable distribution feeder is adjacent to the site, interconnection costs could range from $750,000 to $2,000,000. This could escalate significantly if feeder upgrades or a