Honors & 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 2024 Geothermal Rising Conference (GRC) in Waikoloa, HI.

Scroll down for descriptions of the individual awards and lists of prior recipients.

Nomination form

Joseph W. Aidlin 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.

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.

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.

Ben 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.

Geothermal Special Achievement Award

Recognizes special or outstanding achievement in any aspect of geothermal energy development and related areas.

Outstanding Research Award

Recognizes excellence in research and potential impact on the geothermal industry

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Champion Award

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Champion Award recognizes individuals creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for historically excluded groups in the STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), especially those in which geothermal is a key factor.

2023 Johanna Ostrum
2022 Caity Smith

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.

Young Professional Award (Applied Research)

Recognizes young innovators and researchers, under the age of 35, whose applied research contributions have helped advance knowledge and innovation in the geothermal industry or geothermal community.