Transmission-connected battery storage: what landowners should ask

Start with the proposal, not the line

Ask the developer to show where equipment would sit and where it would connect. Which land do they control between those points? Would new electrical facilities, road crossings or neighboring rights be needed? Have the entire route marked, even if parts remain preliminary.

Explain the uses you need to preserve. A transmission-connected proposal can involve more than the fenced battery area, so ask which rights would be permanent and which areas are only needed during construction. Do not compare offers solely by the equipment acreage.

Ask for a project reference you can check

PJM publishes separate serial and cycle service-request records. For a proposal using PJM’s process, ask for the project reference and the relevant record, rather than searching only by a marketing name. Ask the developer to explain the current status and any studies available.

A record shows a request is being processed; it does not prove construction will happen. Ask what milestones remain and which decisions could stop the project. For land outside PJM, ask which grid operator and utility have the applicable records.

Reference: PJM: service request records

Understand why the developer wants an option

PJM’s current process resources discuss site control and financial readiness. Its September 2026 first-cycle announcement also describes proof of site control as part of project viability. This helps explain why a developer may request land rights before construction is certain.

It does not mean you should accept an indefinite reservation. Ask what land the option covers, how long it lasts, what you are paid during investigation and whether extensions require your agreement. Ask which retained uses would be allowed while studies proceed.

Reference: PJM: interconnection reform and site-control resources · PJM: September 2026 first-cycle study announcement

Separate study progress from construction readiness

Ask what the studies have established and which upgrade costs remain uncertain. Has a connection point been agreed, or could it move? Are required agreements complete? Have the developer distinguish a submitted application, a study result and permission to begin building.

You do not need to predict the grid outcome yourself. You do need a clear explanation of how unresolved costs and delays affect your land agreement. Ask when reserved areas are released if the project is reduced or abandoned.

Ask who will own the project later

If the developer expects to transfer the project, ask how that would affect your agreement and who would be responsible for payments, site work and removal. Request an explanation of any proposed assignment rights and the responsibilities that continue after a transfer.

Keep the project reference, site drawing and agreement documents together. If the company or project name changes, those records help you understand whether the new discussion concerns the same land and connection proposal.

What to send for an initial conversation

Send the property location, contact details and what portion could be available. Add the parcel number, utility and a prior proposal reference if known. Describe existing lines or easements without assuming they grant a right to connect.

You can inquire without choosing a battery rating or signing an option. Sunland can start with your property information and identify the questions that need further work. A transmission-scale inquiry remains subject to project-specific feasibility and commercial review.