2026 Midwest Cogeneration Conference

Midwest Cogeneration Association

August 17-19, 2026.

Holiday Inn, Wolf Point, Downtown Chicago, IL 60654.

About the Event

Advancing the Future of Reliable Energy

Attendees learned from industry experts about combined heat and power, cogeneration, distributed generation, and microgrid technologies that enhance energy resilience and deliver 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 collaborate with like-minded professionals to foster innovative energy and environmental strategies and projects.

Archived Presentations

This wasn’t just another day-long session that repeated what we already know. We designed and framed it well, so every minute introduces a new concept and a different point of view to adopt.

Day 1 (8/17)

No-Cost Workshop at UIC hosted by the U.S. DOE Midwest Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnership. On-Site Technical Tour of Illinois Institute of Technology. Conference Welcome Reception at Wolf Point Hotel.

Day 2 (8/18)

MCA Conference at Wolf Point Hotel. Networking Reception with Exhibitors & Sponsors. Evening Social Event on Chicago Riverwalk (Brews & Bites).

Day 3 (8/19)

On-Site Presentation & Technical Tour of Half Acre Beer Co.

2026 Midwest Inspiring Project Awards

These combined heat and power (CHP) projects are recognized by the Midwest Cogeneration Association (MCA) that demonstrate exceptional design and deployment achieving significant energy savings, emission reductions, and enhanced resiliency while advancing sustainable energy solutions and addressing critical industry challenges.

Northern Hardwoods - 275 kW CHP System

Northern Hardwoods of Atlantic Mine, Michigan, received a 2026 CHP Project of the Year Award for its innovative 275-kilowatt biomass-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) system. In 2025, the hardwood lumber manufacturer replaced an aging boiler with a Messersmith biomass boiler and NLine Energy steam turbine CHP system. Fueled by on-site mill residue, the project generated up to 17 million BTU per hour of thermal energy and 275 kilowatts of electricity, reducing operating costs, lowering natural gas use, and improving efficiency. The project highlighted how CHP helped industrial facilities modernize infrastructure while advancing organizational goals. Congratulations to Northern Hardwoods.

5550 S. Dorchester - 8.8 kW CHP System

The 5550 South Dorchester Avenue apartment building in Chicago, Illinois, received a 2026 CHP Project of the Year Award for its innovative micro-CHP installation. The 124-unit building used two natural gas-fueled Axiom Energy micro-CHP units to generate 8.8 kilowatts of electricity and up to 84,000 BTU per hour of thermal energy for domestic hot water. Operating at 95% overall efficiency, the system was expected to meet about 55% of hot water demand and 20% of annual electricity needs, reducing energy waste and utility costs. The project demonstrated the value of micro-CHP in multifamily housing. Congratulations to 5550 South Dorchester Avenue!

Black River Memorial Hospital - 260 kW CHP System

Black River Memorial Hospital in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, received a 2026 CHP Project of the Year Award for its innovative 260-kilowatt combined heat and power system. Operating since 2024, the natural gas-fueled system provided reliable electricity while capturing waste heat for building heating and domestic hot water. Despite installation challenges in a confined basement space near the emergency department, the project was completed without disrupting hospital operations. By improving efficiency, meeting strict emissions requirements, and enhancing reliability, the CHP system helped the hospital reduce costs and focus more resources on patient care. Congratulations to Black River Memorial Hospital!

Half Acre Beer Company - 48 kW CHP System

Half Acre Beer Company of Chicago, Illinois, received a 2026 CHP Project of the Year Award for its innovative micro-CHP project. The brewery installed two EC Power XRGI-25 units that generated 48 kilowatts of electricity and up to 327,600 BTU per hour of hot water, meeting an estimated 14% of electrical demand and 59% of hot water needs. Operating at 93% overall efficiency, the system reduced energy costs, lowered fuel consumption, and improved reliability. Completed in less than six months, the project highlighted the value of micro-CHP in industrial operations. Congratulations to Half Acre Beer Company!

PVS Chemicals - 2.6 MW CHP System

PVS Chemicals of Chicago, Illinois, received a 2026 CHP Project of the Year Award for its innovative waste heat-to-power CHP project. In 2025, the company installed a condensing extraction steam turbine that converted previously vented steam from its sulfuric acid manufacturing process into up to 2.6 megawatts of on-site electricity. The system also recovered condensate for reuse, reducing water and chemical consumption. By turning waste steam into a valuable energy resource, the project improved efficiency, lowered operating costs, and strengthened energy resilience. Congratulations to PVS Chemicals!

Speakers

Ann McCabe

Keynote Presenter

The 2026 Midwest Cogeneration Conference was honored to welcome Ann McCabe, Commissioner of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), as our keynote speaker. As states across the Midwest and the nation confront unprecedented changes to their energy systems, Commissioner McCabe will provide a regulator’s perspective on the policies, infrastructure investments, and strategic decisions shaping the future of electricity and natural gas. Her keynote, “The Illinois Energy Outlook: Reliability, Growth, and the Future of Energy Infrastructure,” will offer timely insights into one of the most dynamic periods in the history of the energy sector.

Commissioner McCabe will discuss Illinois and broader Midwest energy trends, focusing on rising electricity demand, transmission planning, resource adequacy, infrastructure, natural gas, and distributed energy resources. Attendees will gain insight into how regulators balance reliability, affordability, sustainability, and economic growth.