About the GRC Honors and Awards
The GRC Awards recognize distinguished colleagues in the geothermal community from around the world and have been a highlight of the geothermal calendar since the late 1970s.
The recipients of these awards have significant achievements in the geothermal academic, scientific, and commercial communities. The award winners will be recognized during the 2025 Geothermal Rising Conference (GRC) in Reno, NV.
Award Categories
Aidlin Presidential Award
Joseph W. Aidlin was a groundbreaking lawyer, who co-founded Magma Power Company, which went on to develop the first geothermal steam production for commercial electric power generation in the Western Hemisphere at The Geysers in California. Aidlin also co-founded the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC), now Geothermal Rising. Aidlin was a key leader in writing state and national legislation relating to geothermal resources, including drafting the world's first geothermal lease.
The Geothermal Rising President recognizes an individual who has helped they/them during their time in office, mentoring/supporting them in their role. This would be at the full discretion of the President.
Nomination: President
Selection: President
Confirmation: President
Geothermal Pioneer Award
Recognizes an outstanding achievement and contributions to the development of geothermal resources. This would recognize individuals with a dedicated service to the industry that has led the way for the rest of us.
Nomination: Public
Selection: Awards committee
Confirmation: Board
Henry J. Ramey, Jr. Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Award
Henry “Hank” J. Ramey, Jr. was a pioneer in the development of geothermal resources, working as a Professor of Petroleum Engineering in the School of Earth Sciences at Stanford University, where he taught and conducted research for 27 years. Ramey conducted the first steam well test at The Geysers geothermal field in California and helped to establish the Stanford Geothermal Program in 1972.
Recognizes outstanding achievement in subsurface geoscience and engineering and impacts on geothermal development.
Nomination: Public
Selection: Awards committee
Confirmation: Board
Holt Geothermal Power Plant Award
Ben Holt was an engineer who worked to develop commercial-scale geothermal power plants. In the 1980s, Holt’s firm, Ben Holt Co., designed and built one of the nation’s first binary geothermal plants at Mammoth Lakes, California.
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of geothermal power plant design and construction, direct use, and other surface utilization focusing on innovation.
Nomination: Public
Selection: Awards committee
Confirmation: Board
Geothermal Special Achievement Awards
Recognizes special or outstanding achievement in any aspect of geothermal energy development and related areas.
Nomination: Public
Selection: Awards committee
Confirmation: Board
Young Professional Award (Leadership)
Recognizes young innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and up and coming leaders, under the age of 35, who have had an impact on the geothermal community. This would recognize individuals who have devoted significant time, effort, thought and action that has resulted in meaningful impact to the Geothermal Rising organization and the geothermal industry.
Nomination: Public
Selection: Awards committee
Confirmation: Board
Young Professional Award (Technical)
Recognizes young innovators and researchers, under the age of 35, whose technical contributions have helped advance knowledge and innovation in the geothermal industry or geothermal community.
Nomination: Public
Selection: Awards committee
Confirmation: Board
Outstanding Research Award
Recognizes excellence in research and potential impact on the geothermal industry.
Nomination: Public
Selection: Awards committee
Confirmation: Board
Rising Together Award
The Rising Together Award recognizes individuals, teams or organizations who demonstrate excellence in empowering the future of geothermal and its community. This award acknowledges achievements in training initiatives, career growth, workforce development and fostering a culture of belonging.
Nomination: Public
Selection: Awards committee, supported by the Wokforce Success committee
Confirmation: Board
Thermal Horizons Award
The Thermal Horizons Award honors exceptional achievements in the advancement and application of low- to mid-temperature geothermal resources. This award recognizes individuals, teams, or organizations that have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and impact in utilizing geothermal energy for direct use, thermal energy networks, or power generation at lower temperature ranges. From pioneering technologies and creative project deployment to expanding market access and community benefits, recipients of this award are shaping the future of geothermal by unlocking the vast potential of low and mid-temperature systems across diverse sectors.
Nomination: Public
Selection: Awards committee
Confirmation: Board
Dr. Jim Bose Heat Pump Award
This award recognizes outstanding advancement in the development and deployment of low-temperature heat pump technology. It honors a project, product, or team that has demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, and impact in harnessing low-temperature geothermal or ambient heat sources to deliver efficient, sustainable heating and cooling solutions. Nominees may include novel system designs, breakthrough integrations in challenging climates, or scalable applications that significantly reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency in residential, commercial, or industrial settings. This award celebrates those leading the way toward a cleaner energy future through ingenuity in low-temperature heat pump technology.
Nomination: Public
Selection: Awards committee
Confirmation: Board