Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung (B.KWK) e.V.

What Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung (B.KWK) e.V. does

Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung (B.KWK) e.V. is a German non-profit industry association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 2001 and headquartered at Robert-Koch-Platz 4, Berlin. The organization functions as the unified political voice of the Combined Heat and Power (Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung / KWK / CHP) industry in Germany, bundling the interests of energy companies, municipal utilities, CHP/BHKW manufacturers and plant operators, and industrial energy consumers. KWK plants generate electricity and useful heat simultaneously from a single fuel source, achieving up to 90% efficiency versus roughly 40% for conventional power plants; CHP installations account for nearly 20% of German electricity generation according to B.KWK's own figures. The association does not sell technology products but delivers a portfolio of services including an annual congress (18th edition scheduled for September 2026), the monthly Mittagstalk digital lunch talk series, the Duisburger KWK-Symposium (in cooperation with the University of Duisburg-Essen), the Internationale Anwenderkonferenz Biomassevergasung, the BHKW des Monats and BHKW des Jahres award programs, position papers and policy statements (on KWKG, GEG, GModG, StromVKG, and heat planning), a newsletter, and the KWK-Leuchtturmprojekte showcase database.

Revenue is generated through recurring annual membership dues paid by companies, municipal utilities, industry partners, and other energy-sector organizations; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market motion is event-driven: the congress, Mittagstalk, and symposium function as the primary membership acquisition and engagement channels, complemented by newsletter, website, press releases, and a YouTube channel. B.KWK is governed by a Präsidium led by President Andreas Rimkus and Hauptgeschäftsführerin Barbara Minderjahn (appointed September 2025), with three Vice Presidents (Dr. Georg Klene, Karsten Ahrens, Stefan Liesner), and operates with a lean staff of 8 employees. The association is registered in the Vereinsregister Charlottenburg (VR-31038 B), the EU Transparency Register, and the German Lobbyregister, and maintains strategic alliances with 13+ counterpart associations including BDEW, BEE, VKU, AGFW, and DVGW.

Name

Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung (B.KWK) e.V.

Legal name

Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung e.V.

Website

https://bkwk.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung (B.KWK) e.V. is a Berlin-based German non-profit industry association founded in 2001 that advocates for Combined Heat and Power (KWK/CHP) technology on behalf of energy companies, municipal utilities, manufacturers, and industrial users, delivering events, awards, policy positions, and member services funded through annual dues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: B.KWK generates revenue through annual membership fees paid by companies, municipal utilities, industry partners, and other organizations in the energy sector. Members receive policy monitoring, networking opportunities through working groups, and early access to political developments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung (B.KWK) e.V. is a registered non-profit industry association (eingetragener Verein) that represents and advocates for Combined Heat and Power (KWK/CHP) technology in Germany. It bundles the political interests of energy providers, manufacturers, plant operators, and industrial users, providing members with policy monitoring, working groups, networking events, awards, and publications in exchange for annual membership dues.

Product overview

Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung (B.KWK) e.V. is a professional association for Combined Heat and Power (CHP/KWK) technology in Germany, founded in 2001. The organization does not offer a unified software product or platform but provides a portfolio of services including annual events (B.KWK-Kongress, Duisburger KWK-Symposium, Internationale Anwenderkonferenz Biomassevergasung, B.KWK-Mittagstalk), awards (BHKW des Monats/KWK-Projekt des Monats, BHKW des Jahres), publications (position papers, policy statements), and member communication (newsletter). The organization also maintains a database of lighthouse projects showcasing CHP applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• B.KWK-Kongress Annual congress in Berlin bringing together politics, science, associations, and business to discuss the future of energy supply and the role of KWK in the energy transition; open to members and the broader industry audience.
• B.KWK-Mittagstalk Monthly digital lunch-talk series featuring presentations and discussions on current KWK-related topics for B.KWK members.
• Duisburger KWK-Symposium Annual symposium organized with the University of Duisburg-Essen, focusing on the role of combined heat and power in the future energy system and providing a research perspective on KWK technology development.
• Internationale Anwenderkonferenz Biomassevergasung Annual international conference on biomass gasification applications organized by B.KWK, with focus on DACH countries.
• BHKW des Jahres Annual award recognizing innovative combined heat and power installations, with winners selected by a five-member expert jury from the publication Energie & Management.
• KWK-Projekt des Monats Monthly recognition program highlighting outstanding combined heat and power projects and installations in Germany.
• Position Papers and Policy Statements Official positions, policy recommendations, and statements on energy legislation including the KWKG, building energy law (GEG), power plant strategy, heat planning, and renewable gases, used by members and policymakers.
• KWK-Leuchtturmprojekte (Lighthouse Project Database) Online showcase of exemplary combined heat and power lighthouse projects demonstrating the technology's applications across industry, municipal heating, and building supply.
• Newsletter Regular newsletter providing updates on KWK industry news, policy developments, and association activities to members and subscribers.

Quantifiable outcome

• KWK plants contribute nearly 20% of German electricity generation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AGFW (Energieeffizienzverband für Wärme, Kälte und KWK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the energy efficiency sector, collaborating on positions regarding the KWKG and heat network legislation.
• BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und WasserwirtschaftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading energy and water industry association, jointly advocating for energy policy positions and heat transition strategies.
• BEE (Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energien)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewable energy association, collaborating on positions regarding the energy transition and KWK integration with renewables.
• VKU (Verband kommunaler Unternehmen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of municipal utilities, representing interests of municipal energy providers using KWK technology.
• DVGW (Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical and scientific association for gas and water, collaborating on hydrogen and gas infrastructure for KWK applications.
• BSW solar, BWP, ZIA, ZVEH, ZVEI, Die Gas- und WasserstoffwirtschaftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry associations in solar, heat pumps, real estate, electrical trades, and gas/hydrogen working together on joint appeals for heating transition policy.
• DStGB (Deutscher Städtetag), Deutscher LandkreistagminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal umbrella organizations collaborating on heating transition policy and municipal energy planning.
• MittelstandsAllianz / BVMWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerB.KWK participates in the MittelstandsAllianz under the BVMW umbrella, contributing expertise on SME-friendly energy transition policies.
• LEE NRW (Landesverband Erneuerbare Energien Nordrhein-Westfalen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional renewable energy association, jointly advocating for decentralized technologies combining renewables and backup capacity.
• 2G Energy AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHP manufacturer, collaborating with LEE NRW and B.KWK on joint demands for decentralized technologies in the power plant strategy.
• C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewable energy network representing wood energy and biomass interests in the DACH region.
• University of Duisburg-EssenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for the annual Duisburger KWK-Symposium, providing research perspective on KWK technology development.
• Fraunhofer IEEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institution that conducted study on network connection point utilization with BEE and B.KWK participation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AGFW | Der Energieeffizienzverband für Wärme, Kälte und KWK e.V. German energy efficiency association for heat, cooling, and CHP. Directly comparable as a national trade body advocating for district heating and CHP; listed as a core strategic partner of B.KWK and works jointly on KWKG and heat network legislation.
• Fachverband für Holzgas (FEE) e.V. German wood gas industry association linked directly from B.KWK's website. Closely comparable niche trade association addressing a specific CHP-related fuel technology (biomass/wood gas) within the broader KWK ecosystem B.KWK covers.
• VIK Verband der Industriellen Energie- und Kraftwirtschaft: German association of industrial energy and power consumers, including industrial CHP operators. Comparable as a national advocacy body for industrial users of combined heat and power and on-site generation.

Emerging players

• ASUE Arbeitsgemeinschaft für sparsamen und umweltfreundlichen Energieverbrauch e.V. German working group on efficient and environmentally compatible energy use, focused on gas-based energy technologies including CHP. Comparable niche advocacy body promoting CHP/CHP-adjacent efficient energy solutions in Germany.
• C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V. Renewable energy network covering wood energy and biomass interests in the DACH region. Overlaps with B.KWK on biomass gasification and the Internationale Anwenderkonferenz Biomassevergasung; listed as a B.KWK partner.

Broad incumbents

• DStGB Deutscher Städte- und Gemeindebund: German municipal umbrella organization collaborating with B.KWK on heating transition policy and municipal energy planning; comparable as a federal advocacy association representing municipal interests in energy decisions.
• DVGW Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches: German technical and scientific association for gas and water, deeply involved in hydrogen infrastructure. Overlaps with B.KWK on hydrogen-ready CHP and gas infrastructure policy; B.KWK is a listed partner.
• VKU Verband kommunaler Unternehmen: German association of municipal utilities, many of which operate CHP plants for district heating. Overlaps with B.KWK on municipal energy supply and heating transition policy; B.KWK is a listed partner.
• BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft: Leading German energy and water industry association covering the entire energy value chain. Overlaps with B.KWK on energy policy and heat transition advocacy but operates at much broader scope; B.KWK is a listed partner and both jointly advocate on heat strategy.
• BEE Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energien: German umbrella association for renewable energies. Overlaps with B.KWK on energy transition policy and joint positions (e.g., network connection point study with Fraunhofer IEE); comparable as a federal advocacy association but with a renewables-only mandate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BKWK_eV
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bkwk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung (B.KWK) e.V.