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

Join the Midwest Cogeneration Conference celebrating MCA’s 40th anniversary! Learn from industry experts about combined heat and power, cogeneration, distributed generation, and microgrid technologies to boost energy resiliency and economic benefits using local and federal incentives. Key topics include industry updates, policy news, regional transmission impacts, resiliency and sustainability solutions, technology advancements, project development, best practices, and lessons learned. Network with exhibitors and professionals to innovate energy and environmental projects.

In addition to the educational experience, have the opportunity to network with exhibitors and sponsors and collaborate with like-minded professionals to foster innovative energy and environmental strategies and projects.

Explore Opportunities

Don’t miss the opportunity to be at the forefront of partnering with the Midwest Cogeneration Association (MCA) this year as the MCA celebrates 40 years of promoting a greater public understanding of cogeneration, independent power production, and distributed generation. Be among the first to Sponsor/Exhibit at the 2025 Midwest Cogeneration Conference.

Seize this chance to showcase your innovations, network with like-minded professionals, and contribute to the future of sustainable energy. Act now and secure your spot to make a lasting impact!

Nominate Project Awardees

The MCA is seeking nominations for the “Midwest Inspiring CHP & DER Project Awards” to be awarded at the 2025 Midwest Cogeneration Conference.

Eligible nominated combined heat and power (CHP) and distributed energy resource (DER) projects must reside in the Midwest region of the U.S. in one of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. View last year’s Awarded Projects.

Submit Presentation Abstracts

We are looking for inspiring and thought-provoking industry experts to join the 2025 Midwest Cogeneration Conference speaker lineup.

Presentations that incorporate case studies of existing CHP and/or DER projects and/or owners and/or operators of CHP and/or DER systems as presenters and/or co-presenters may be given greater consideration. Meet last year’s Conference Speakers.

Our Exhibitors

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

Meet the 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.