2025 Midwest Cogeneration Conference
Midwest Cogeneration Association
August 18-20, 2025.
Holiday Inn, Wolf Point, Downtown Chicago, IL 60654.
About the Event
Unlocking the Potential of Distributed Energy Resources
The Midwest Cogeneration Conference celebrated MCA’s 40th anniversary! Attendees learned from industry experts about combined heat and power, cogeneration, distributed generation, and microgrid technologies that enhanced energy resiliency and delivered economic benefits through local and federal incentives. Key topics included industry updates, policy developments, regional transmission impacts, resiliency and sustainability solutions, technology advancements, project development, best practices, and lessons learned. Participants networked with exhibitors and professionals to drive innovation in energy and environmental projects.
In addition to the educational experience, attendees had the opportunity to network with exhibitors and sponsors and collaborated with like-minded professionals to foster innovative energy and environmental strategies and projects.
Event Schedule
This isn’t just another day-long session repeating the things we know. We designed and framed it well, so every minute introduces a new concept and a different point of view to adopt.
Day 1 (8/18)
No-Cost Workshop at UIC, followed by Evening Conference Welcome Reception at Hotel
Day 2 (8/19)
Full Day Conference, Networking Reception, Additional Fun Evening Event
Day 3 (8/20)
Morning Onsite Technical Tour – RIU Hotel
Speakers
Donald J. Wuebbles
Keynote Presenter
The MCA is proud to welcome Dr. Donald J. Wuebbles as the keynote speaker for the 2025 Midwest Cogeneration Conference. A leading atmospheric scientist and former Climate Advisor to President Obama, Dr. Wuebbles brings decades of expertise, over 500 publications, and recent co-authorship of Pathways to Sustainability. His keynote will explore climate risks, data-driven modeling, and resiliency—highlighting how cogeneration and distributed energy solutions can cut costs, lower emissions, and strengthen grid reliability across the Midwest and beyond.
Mark Denzler
Featured Presenter
The Midwest Cogeneration Association (MCA) is proud to welcome Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA), as a featured speaker at the 2025 Midwest Cogeneration Conference. Representing 650,000 Illinois manufacturing workers, Mark will share key insights on rising energy costs, grid reliability, decarbonization, workforce challenges, and regulatory shifts. He’ll highlight how onsite energy solutions—like cogeneration and waste heat to power—can help manufacturers achieve reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable operations. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how the cogeneration industry can better support industrial energy strategies.
Doug Scott
Featured Presenter
The Midwest Cogeneration Association (MCA) is proud to welcome Doug Scott as the Featured Presenter for the 2025 Midwest Cogeneration Conference. Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission, brings decades of public service experience—from state legislator and Rockford mayor to Director of the Illinois EPA and Vice President at the Great Plains Institute. Now leading the ICC, Scott is at the forefront of balancing affordability, reliability, and clean energy transition across Illinois’s utility sectors.
Dan Scripps
Featured Presenter
The Midwest Cogeneration Association (MCA) is proud to welcome Dan Scripps as a Featured Presenter at the 2025 Midwest Cogeneration Conference. Chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission since 2020, brings deep expertise in energy policy and public service. A former state representative, he previously led Midwest energy initiatives at the Energy Foundation and served as President of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. Scripps holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan and a B.A. from Alma College. Nationally recognized for his leadership, he has held key roles with MISO, OMS, MARC, and NARUC, where he received the 2022 Terry Barnich Award for international regulatory collaboration.
Alan Howard
Vice President Data Center Solutions, Clarke Energy
Cliff Haefke
President, Midwest Cogeneration Association (MCA)
Thomas Smith
President, CHP Alliance and President, COGEN World Coalition
Graeme Miller
Principal Research Specialist, UIC Energy Resources Center
Sandeep Alavandi
Program Manager Industrial and Power, GTI Energy
Kimberly Greene
North American Sales Director, 2G Energy
Thomas Manjarres
Principal Analyst, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Energy Efficiency Programs
Maddie Wazowicz
MEEA
Wayne Barnett
Head of Public Policy and External Affairs, Cordia Energy
Jessie Gillis
Vergent Power
Diane Clifford
Caterpillar
2025 Midwest Inspiring Project Awards
These are combined heat and power (CHP) and/or Distributed Energy Resource (DER) projects that are recognized by the Midwest Cogeneration Association (MCA) that demonstrate outstanding design and implementation of a clean energy system saving energy, reducing emissions, and/or increasing resiliency while contributing to the advancement of sustainable energy systems and addressing key industry challenges.
City of Grandville Wastewater Treatment Facility - 672 kW Biogas-Fueled CHP System
Our first “2025 Midwest Inspiring Project Award” was presented to the City of Grandville Wastewater Treatment Facility in Michigan. In partnership with Moore & Bruggink, Kraft Power, and Century AE, the facility deployed a 672 kW combined heat and power (CHP) system fueled by anaerobic digester biogas and natural gas. Commissioned in 2022, the system features twin 336 kW units equipped with advanced fuel blending, black-start capability, and island mode operation—delivering critical energy resilience. Even during grid outages, the system operates independently, ensuring uninterrupted plant operations. Additionally, 1.38 MMBtu/hr of recovered heat is utilized for digester heating, maximizing energy efficiency. Serving over 22,000 customers, this project exemplifies how CHP can enhance grid independence and reliability in the wastewater sector while reducing emissions through renewable biogas utilization and flexible fuel switching.
Rock Run Industries - 1.6 MW CHP-Solar-Battery Microgrid
Our next “2025 Midwest Inspiring Project Award” was awarded to Rock Run Industries, a metal fabrication company based in Topeka, Indiana. In collaboration with Photon Electric, LLC, Vergent, and Capstone Green Energy, Rock Run Industries commissioned a cutting-edge distributed energy resources (DER) system between 2024 and 2025 to enhance resilience and sustainability at its 300,000-square-foot facility. The integrated microgrid features a 600 kW Capstone microturbine combined heat and power (CHP) system, 1 MW of on-site solar generation, and a 2 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). This advanced system autonomously optimizes solar utilization and demand management, while the ultra-clean exhaust heat—up to 2.3 MMBtu/hr—is repurposed in curing ovens, significantly boosting energy efficiency and reducing emissions. With modular staging and harmonized controls, the system lowers fuel costs and maximizes performance, positioning Rock Run Industries as a leading example of DER deployment in Midwest manufacturing.
District Energy St.Paul - 2 MW Hydrogen-Fueled CHP System
Our next “2025 Midwest Inspiring Project Award” was presented to District Energy St. Paul for its groundbreaking deployment of a 2 MW combined heat and power (CHP) system. Installed in 2025, the project features a first-of-its-kind Caterpillar G3516 genset capable of operating on 100% hydrogen, 100% natural gas, or blends up to 25% hydrogen. Developed in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Linde, McKinstry, LLC, and Ziegler CAT, the system demonstrates real-world performance, safety, and emissions data across multiple fuel types. Integrated into the renewable-powered District Energy St. Paul network, the project showcases the future of fuel-flexible, low-emission cogeneration. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, this innovative installation highlights how community energy systems can evolve toward a decarbonized future while maintaining reliability and efficiency today.
Hotel RIU Plaza Chicago - 195 kW CHP System
Our final “2025 Midwest Inspiring Project Award” was presented to Riu Hotel Plaza for its commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and guest comfort through the installation of a 195 kW natural gas combined heat and power (CHP) system. Commissioned in 2025 and featuring three American-made Capstone microturbines, the project was engineered and built by EnWaDev, with support from Diligent Design Group, Anchor Mechanical, Vergent, and ComEd. The system delivers reliable on-site electricity and 1.5 MMBtu/hr of hot water, reducing emissions by over 35%. This resilient and decarbonized distributed energy solution supports ComEd’s grid, lowers operating costs, and aligns with Illinois’ clean energy goals—demonstrating how CHP can power hospitality with climate-conscious reliability.
Our Sponsors
It is not possible to host a conference without our helping hands. We have several sponsors to attribute who help us make things happen.
Platinum Sponsors
Glod Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Promotional Sponsors
