Advanced energy economy

AEE was founded in 2011 by Tom Steyer, an American asset manager and philanthropist,[3] and Hemant Taneja, an Indian-born American venture capitalist.[4] George P. Shultz, an American economist, statesman, and businessman, was also instrumental in AEE's creation.[5] In 2011, Graham Richard, an American politician and entrepreneur, was named CEO of the group.[6]

In January 2016, several new members joined AEE's board of directors, including executives from Johns Manville, Johnson Controls, Microsoft, Recurrent Energy, Veolia North America, Vestas Americas, and Schneider Electric.[7]

According to its website, AEE takes a broad view of what is "advanced" energy - defining it as:

"...energy sources, technologies, and services that are affordable, clean, and secure over the long-term. This could mean electric and plug-in hybrid cars, lightweight composites for airplane bodies, natural gas fueled trucks, high-performance buildings, more efficient industrial processes, and the latest wind, solar, and nuclear technologies, as they use energy more productively, diversify energy sources, and reduce health and environmental costs."[8]

AEE has multiple state chapters and advocates on behalf of the advanced energy industry at the federal level and states in which it currently has established chapters. On the state level, AEE state and regional partners work to help local advanced energy member businesses advocate for a better business climate for advanced energy companies.[9] AEE is currently active in 27 states.[10]

The 2017 Board of Directors is composed of:[11]

• Bill DiCroce, President & CEO, Veolia North America
• Roger Flanagan, Managing Director, Lockheed Martin Energy
• Deb Frodl, Global Executive Director, GE ecomagination
• Mike Garland, President and CEO, Pattern Energy
• Tim Healy, Chairman and CEO, EnerNOC
• Paul Kaleta, EVP and General Counsel, First Solar
• Terrill Laughton, VP/GM, Integrated Demand Resources, Johnson Controls
• Dan'l Lewin, Corporate Vice President, Technology and Civic Engagement, Microsoft
• Namish Patel, CEO, Gridco Systems
• Kevin Self, SVP Strategy, Business Development & Government Relations, Schneider Electric
• Dan Shugar, CEO, NEXTracker
• Hemant Taneja, Managing Director of General Catalyst Partners
• Prasanna Venkatesan, President and CEO, Americas, Landis+Gyr Inc.
• Aziz Virani, CEO, CLEAResult
• Howard Wenger, President, Business Units, SunPower
• Scott Neuman, GVP, Global Operations & Marketing, Oracle Utilities
• Rob Bernard, Chief Environmental Strategist, General Manager, Microsoft