The Best Practices Awards program launched in late 2004 by the COMBINED CYCLE Journal has as its primary objective the recognition of the valuable contributions made by plant staffs—and headquarters engineering and asset-management personnel as well—to improve the performance of GT-based generating facilities.  Plant's eligible to participate include: Gas-turbine-based power plants (combined cycle, cogeneration, peaking) in North and South America.

There are two levels of awards to recognize the achievements at individual plants: "Best Practices" and "The Best of the Best", as determined by the judges.  Entry categories for award consideration include Operation and Maintenance, Design, Environmental Stewardship, Management, and Safety. 

All entries will receive industry recognition by way of a profile in a special editorial section on Best Practices published in the Q1/2012 issue of the COMBINED CYCLE Journal.  A panel of judges with asset management experience will select for formal recognition at the CTOTF™ Spring Conference, the Best Practices they believe offer the greatest benefit to the industry given today’s goals of improving performance, reliability/availability, and safety, and reducing emissions and O&M costs.  The judging panel consists of members of the CTOTF™ Leadership Committee, chaired by Bob Kirn of the Tennessee Valley Authority. The Combustion Turbine Operations Technical Forum, the nation’s oldest GT user group, and the one with the broadest coverage in terms of manufacturers and models served, hosts the presentation of awards during the organization’s annual Spring Conferences. Those selected by the judges to be "The Best of the Best" will be invited to present their winning submission during the Industry Issues Roundtable session of the Spring Conference. All winning submissions will be recognized and awards presented at the Spring Conference Monday Luncheon.