Midwest Cogeneration Association

What Midwest Cogeneration Association does

Midwest Cogeneration Association (MCA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit industry association founded in 1984 and headquartered at P.O. Box 104, Palatine, Illinois. MCA operates as a regional membership-based forum covering eight Midwest states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin) with a mission to promote public understanding of cogeneration, combined heat and power (CHP), independent power production, and distributed generation. Its "products" are membership tiers (Individual $125–$335, Corporate $625, Student $25, Policy Advisory Board $5,000), the annual Midwest Cogeneration Conference, the Midwest Inspiring CHP & DER Project Awards program, member directories, quarterly meetings hosted at GTI Energy in Des Plaines, IL, and recurring newsletters and webinars.

MCA does not develop proprietary technology; its value is institutional — convening equipment operators (municipal utilities, hospitals, universities, data centers, wastewater treatment facilities), equipment manufacturers and distributors (Caterpillar, Siemens Energy, Clarke Energy, 2G Energy, TEDOM, Capstone), engineering consultants, utilities, and government agencies around a shared knowledge base. The association's revenue mechanics rest on subscription-like recurring membership dues complemented by transactional event registration fees and tiered conference sponsorship (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze).

The organization is led by President Clifford Haefke (also Director of the UIC Energy Resources Center) and Vice President Thomas Smith (Director of Energy Development at Caterpillar Inc. and President of the CHP Alliance), with a board drawing from member organizations including Clarke Energy, Vergent Power Solutions, Michigan CAT, and Stanley Consultants. MCA has no parent company, no funding rounds, no acquisitions, and no disclosed financial statements, consistent with its non-profit status.

Name

Midwest Cogeneration Association

Legal name

Midwest Cogeneration Association

Website

https://cogeneration.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Midwest Cogeneration Association is a 40-year-old, non-profit membership association that convenes equipment operators, OEMs, consultants, and utilities across eight Midwest states around combined heat and power, distributed generation, and microgrid education, networking, and policy advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Industry Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM)

Headquarters

HQ city

Palatine

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from Individual ($125–$335 depending on plan length), Corporate ($625), Student ($25), and Policy Advisory Board ($5,000) tiers. These dues fund the association's activities including conferences, publications, seminars, and networking events.
2. Event Registration and Sponsorship: Revenue from annual conferences (e.g., Midwest Cogeneration Conference), workshops, tours, and related events. Sponsorships at Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers support the annual conference.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Midwest Cogeneration Association (MCA) is a non-profit membership association that promotes cogeneration, combined heat and power (CHP), independent power production, and distributed generation across eight Midwest states. It sells tiered memberships (Individual, Student, Corporate, Policy Advisory Board), hosts the annual Midwest Cogeneration Conference and quarterly meetings, publishes policy and project updates, and runs the Midwest Inspiring CHP & DER Project Awards program to recognize exemplary regional projects.

Product overview

Midwest Cogeneration Association (MCA) is a non-profit industry association that provides membership services, organizes annual conferences and events, publishes resources and reports, and facilitates networking opportunities for professionals in the cogeneration, combined heat and power (CHP), and distributed energy resource (DER) sectors. MCA does not offer a commercial product or software platform. Its services include Individual and Corporate Membership programs, the annual Midwest Cogeneration Conference (annual events in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026), the Midwest Inspiring CHP & DER Project Awards program, and member directories for networking and project collaboration across the Midwest region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Membership Annual individual membership ($125/year, with 2-year at $235 and 3-year at $335 discount plans) offering networking opportunities, project development information, newsletter access, profile listing on the MCA website, and discounted access to MCA-sponsored activities, seminars, and workshops. Open to industry professionals.
• Corporate Membership Annual corporate membership ($625/year) for organizations that includes all individual benefits plus company profile listing on the MCA website, logo placement on select advertising materials, and up to 5 guests at member rates for MCA events.
• Student Membership Annual student membership ($25/year) providing individual membership benefits and discounted subscription rates.
• Policy Advisory Board Membership Premium $5,000/year membership tier for organizations seeking leadership involvement in MCA's policy advisory board and enhanced industry visibility.
• Midwest Cogeneration Conference (Annual) Annual conference held in the Chicago area featuring keynote speakers, technical sessions, workshops, project award presentations, networking receptions, and technical tours. Covers CHP, distributed energy resources, microgrids, and decarbonization. Held annually since at least 2023, with events in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
• Midwest Inspiring CHP & DER Project Awards Annual recognition program (also referred to as Midwest Clean Energy Project Award in some years) that showcases exemplary combined heat and power and distributed energy resource projects across the Midwest, generating industry recognition and earned media for the operators of those projects.
• MCA Membership Directory Online directories of corporate and individual members (with contact information, company profiles, and professional affiliations) for member-to-member networking and project collaboration across the Midwest cogeneration industry.

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• UIC Energy Resources CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe UIC Energy Resources Center (ERC), an interdisciplinary public service, research, and special projects organization at the University of Illinois Chicago, is a key organizational partner. ERC Director Clifford Haefke serves as President of MCA. ERC sponsors MCA conferences and provides technical assistance, modeling, and program implementation support across public and private sectors. ERC has over 200 professionals on staff.
• Clarke EnergycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClarke Energy is the authorized distributor and service provider for INNIO Jenbacher gaseous fueled engines in the Midwestern states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Alan Howard serves as Head of Sales & Project Delivery and is listed as Vice President of Data Center Solutions. Clarke Energy is a Platinum Sponsor of MCA's annual conference and a key exhibitor and supporter of MCA events.
• Caterpillar Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCaterpillar Inc. is a Platinum Sponsor of MCA's annual conference and provides combined heat and power and power generation solutions. Thomas Smith serves as Vice President and is President of both MCA and the CHP Alliance. Caterpillar exhibits at MCA conferences and supports the association's mission.
• Siemens Energy, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSiemens Energy is a global manufacturer/distributor of power generation equipment including gas turbines (4 to 62 MW), steam turbines (10 kW to 250 MW), and generators (25 MVA and above). Multiple Siemens Energy employees are MCA members. The company supports MCA events and exhibits at conferences.
• Nicor GasmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNicor Gas is a Platinum Sponsor of MCA's annual conference and has been a long-standing supporter of the association. Nicor Gas offers combined heat and power incentives and programs for customers in Illinois, supporting CHP project development in the Midwest.
• Vergent Power SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVergent Power Solutions is a provider of CHP/CCHP and microgrid solutions and the exclusive distributor for Capstone Microturbines in the Upper Midwest, New England, and Eastern Canada. Founder Justin Rathke serves on MCA's Board of Directors. The company has over 200 microturbine systems under service in North America and has developed over $200 million in project value. Vergent is a Corporate Member and conference supporter.
• Interstate Power SystemsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInterstate Power Systems is the authorized distributor for MTU electric power generation and microgrid systems in Montana, parts of Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, parts of Indiana, parts of Illinois, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Multiple Interstate Power employees are MCA members and the company sponsors MCA events.
• Kraft Power CorporationmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKraft Power Corporation is a manufacturer/distributor of power generation equipment and a Silver Sponsor of MCA's annual conference. The company has been a manufacturer's representative in the power, process, and industrial industries since 1952, with expertise in CHP projects for universities, industrial plants, and process plants across the Midwest.
• Somes-NickmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSomes-Nick and Company has been a manufacturer's representative company for equipment in the power, process, and industrial industries since 1952, with extensive experience in CHP projects for universities, industrial plants, chemical plants, and process plants in the 500 kW to 70 MW size range. Multiple Somes-Nick employees are MCA individual members. The company provides gas turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, and other equipment.
• Dalkia Aegis, EDF GroupmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDalkia Aegis, EDF Group is a turn-key, full-service provider of Combined Heat and Power systems using clean, efficient natural gas powered engines. They have over 30 years of experience providing CHP systems for facilities such as apartment buildings, assisted living, industrial complexes, college dormitories, hotels, and nursing homes. They are a Gold Sponsor of MCA conferences.
• Stanley Consultants, Inc.majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStanley Consultants, Inc. is a consulting and engineering firm offering comprehensive CHP and cogeneration project services. Christopher DePodesta serves on MCA's Board of Directors. Multiple Stanley Consultants employees are MCA members. The company is a Bronze Sponsor of MCA conferences.
• Commonwealth Associates, Inc.majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommonwealth Associates, Inc. is a full-service consulting and design engineering firm providing cogeneration, CHP, central energy plants, steam & chilled water systems, electrical substations, and distributive generation services. They are industry leaders in microgrid, BESS, solar, EV charging, and biomass projects. Multiple employees are MCA members.
• Black Hills EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlack Hills Energy is a utility company serving natural gas and electric customers across eight states. The company is a Corporate Member of MCA and a manufacturer/distributor of energy solutions. Multiple employees are MCA members.
• Midland CogenerationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMidland Cogeneration (MCV) is the largest natural gas-fired combined electrical energy and steam energy generating plant in the United States, located in Midland, Michigan. The facility continuously produces 1,633 MW of electrical power and 1.5 million pounds per hour of process steam. Brian Vokal serves as main contact for MCA membership.
• Tedom USA IncmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTEDOM is a leading CHP manufacturer with over 30 years of experience and more than 9,000 CHP units sold globally. TEDOM has 4 production plants in the Czech Republic and operates in Germany, Poland, the U.S.A., and Slovakia with over 800 employees. Their gas CHP units range from 30kW to 4.5MW electrical output.
• TERMOGAMMAmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTermogamma is a leading provider of high-efficiency cogeneration systems for industrial, commercial, and institutional needs. The company designs and implements cutting-edge CHP systems that optimize energy consumption, reduce CO₂ emissions, and enhance operational efficiency. Giovanni Cavalieri and Giacomo Cavalieri are MCA individual members.
• 2G Energy IncmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2G Energy Inc is a manufacturer/distributor of cogeneration equipment and a conference exhibitor. Multiple employees are MCA members. The company specializes in energy-efficient CHP solutions for various applications.
• Michigan CAT & MacAllister Machinery Power Systems DivmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMichigan CAT & MacAllister Machinery Power Systems Division provides power generation equipment and services. Kevin O'Connell serves on MCA's Board of Directors. The company supports MCA events and is a conference exhibitor.
• KFI EngineersmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKFI Engineers is an industry-recognized leader in process and facility infrastructure design and performance with over 200 professionals across offices in Minnesota, Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Multiple employees are MCA members. The company supports MCA events.
• John Cockerill GroupmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJohn Cockerill Group is a diversified industrial company and Corporate Member of MCA. Dawn Feliciano serves as main contact. The company develops energy-related solutions including cogeneration systems.
• Harrison StreetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarrison Street is a real assets investment firm focused on energy infrastructure. Chris DePodesta is a Director of Development and Asset Management and MCA individual member.
• Energy Systems Group, LLCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEnergy Systems Group (ESG), a wholly owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc., is a leading energy services provider specializing in energy efficiency, sustainability, and infrastructure modernization solutions. Multiple employees are MCA members.
• Gridiron EnergyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGridiron Energy provides on-site energy co-generation products bringing savings, resiliency, and sustainability to a wide range of microgrids and nanogrids. James Kerschinske is the main contact and an MCA individual member.
• Nomad InfrastructureminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNomad Infrastructure integrates investment, EPC expertise, and proven delivery to advance energy projects specializing in emerging infrastructure, thermal systems, and industrial processes. John Vasell serves as Business Development Manager and is an MCA individual member.
• PRVN Consultants, IncminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPRVN Consultants, Inc is an engineering and consulting firm and Corporate Member of MCA. James J. Nonnenmann serves as President and is an MCA individual member.
• MiddoughminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMiddough is an engineering and consulting firm and Corporate Member of MCA. Peter Wright serves as main contact and is an MCA individual member.
• U.S. DOE Midwest Onsite Energy TAPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe U.S. Department of Energy's Midwest Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) is a promotional sponsor and supporter of MCA's annual conference. DOE TAPs provide technical assistance and promote CHP and distributed energy resources across the country.
• CHP AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Combined Heat and Power Alliance (CHP Alliance) is a promotional sponsor of MCA's annual conference. Thomas Smith serves as President of both MCA and the CHP Alliance, creating a direct leadership link between the organizations.
• Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEEA is a promotional sponsor of MCA's annual conference. MEEA works to advance energy efficiency across the Midwest, supporting decarbonization and energy efficiency initiatives that intersect with CHP and distributed generation.
• International District Energy Association (IDEA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDEA is an exhibitor at MCA's annual conference. IDEA represents district energy systems, which are closely aligned with CHP and cogeneration technologies.
• Turbine Inlet Cooling Association (TICA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTICA is a promotional sponsor of MCA's annual conference. TICA promotes turbine inlet cooling technology which complements CHP and gas turbine operations in power generation.
• IEEE Chicago SectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEEE Chicago Section is a promotional sponsor of MCA's annual conference, contributing technical expertise in electrical engineering and power systems relevant to CHP and distributed generation.
• GTI EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGTI Energy is a Bronze/Promotional Sponsor of MCA conferences. GTI Energy provides research, technical expertise, and program implementation in energy efficiency, distributed generation, and clean energy technologies. The 2024 MCA Quarterly Meeting was hosted at GTI's facility in Des Plaines, IL.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Gas Technology Institute (GTI Energy): Energy research and technology organization hosting MCA's quarterly meetings. Adjacent ecosystem participant providing research and technical support to MCA's CHP/DER stakeholder base.

Direct peers

• International District Energy Association (IDEA): Trade association for district energy systems, which are tightly coupled with CHP and cogeneration technologies. IDEA is a promotional sponsor and exhibitor at MCA's annual conference, indicating direct peer overlap.
• Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA): Regional energy efficiency association serving the same Midwest geography as MCA. Promotional sponsor of MCA's annual conference; both organizations pursue overlapping stakeholder bases (utilities, municipalities, end-users) with adjacent policy agendas.
• COGEN World Coalition: International cogeneration industry association serving the same core constituency as MCA. Highly comparable mission and member base, with shared leadership (Thomas Smith serves as President of both MCA and COGEN World Coalition).
• CHP Alliance: National coalition promoting combined heat and power technology. Most directly comparable to MCA as a peer trade association for the CHP industry, with overlapping leadership (MCA VP Thomas Smith serves as CHP Alliance President).

Broad incumbents

• American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE): National nonprofit research organization advancing energy efficiency policy. Operates broadly in the same decarbonization/energy efficiency space as MCA but at national scale and with policy-research focus rather than industry convening.

Regional players

• Northeast CHP Initiative: Regional CHP promotion initiative for the Northeast US (Northeastern University, AEO). Operates a comparable model to MCA (regional CHP stakeholder convening and project acceleration) but in a different geography.
• South-Central CHP Application Center: US DOE-sponsored regional CHP technical assistance and application center. Functionally analogous to MCA's CHP stakeholder convening role but operating in a different US region under DOE program structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/midwest-cogeneration-association-mca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Midwest Cogeneration Association