Advanced Energy United
| Formation | November 2011 |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Trade Association |
| Purpose | Transform public policy at the state and federal levels to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses |
| Headquarters | Washington D.C. |
President and CEO | Heather O'Neill |
| Website | https://advancedenergyunited.org/ |
Advanced Energy United (AEU), formerly Advanced Energy Economy, is a national trade association representing the advanced energy industry.[1] In 2025, AEU reported over 76 member companies.[2]
AEU states that it is the only industry association in the U.S. that represents the full range of advanced energy technologies and services, both grid-scale and distributed.[3] AEU's stated mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. AEU defines advanced energy technologies and services as included energy efficiency, demand response, energy storage, solar, wind, hydro, nuclear, electric vehicle, biofuels and smart grid.
AEU is associated with Advanced Energy Institute, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.[4] In Texas, AEU operates as the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance.[5] AEU is the developer of Inisight Engine, formerly PowerSuite, a software platform that enables users to search, track, and collaborate on energy policy.[6]
Founding and leadership
[edit]AEU, at the time known as Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), was founded in 2011 by Tom Steyer, 2020 American Presidential candidate,[7] asset manager and philanthropist,[8] and Hemant Taneja, an Indian-born American venture capitalist.[9] George P. Shultz, an American economist, statesman, and businessman, was also instrumental in AEE's creation.[10] In 2011, Graham Richard, an American politician and entrepreneur, was named CEO of the group.[11] In 2018, Nat Kreamer became CEO of AEE.[12] An entrepreneur and investor, Kreamer was previously president and CEO of Spruce Finance and its predecessor Clean Power Finance, as well as co-founder, president, and COO of rooftop solar company SunRun.
AEE rebranded to Advanced Energy United (AEU) in January 2023.[13] In February 2023, Heather O'Neill was named President and CEO of the organization. O'Neill previously served as President, Interim CEO, and SVP of Strategic Partnerships.[14] Kreamer remains a member of the Advanced Energy Institute Board. [15]
Today, AEU's highest-level members include CTC Global, Enel, EnergyHub, Highland, Landis+Gyr, LS Power, Microsoft, NRG, Pattern, Renew Home, Sunrun, Uplight, and Wilson Sonsini.[2]
Publications
[edit]AEU commissions and publishes reports and other publications to educate policymakers and the public about the industry. These include This Is Advanced Energy, a catalogue of technologies and services,[16] and Advanced Energy Now Market Report, which quantifies U.S. and global advanced energy revenue.[17] AEU also issues annual fact sheets on advanced energy employment in the United States and in several states.[18]
Other AEU reports highlight economic opportunities associated with advanced energy investment and growth. These include Electrifying California: Economic Potential of Growing Electric Transportation[19] and Opportunities for Meeting Commercial & Industrial Demand for Renewable Energy in Indiana.[20]
State Engagement
[edit]AEU provides information to governors, legislators, and Public Utility Commissioners (PUCs) on advanced energy technologies for consumers and the grid.[21] AEU also works with environmental, labor, and justice groups at the state level in support of policies that promote the adoption of advanced energy and remove legislative and regulatory barriers to advanced energy.
- In 2020, AEU was involved in efforts to pass the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which was signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam.[22] The Act mandates that Virginia will have 100% clean electricity by 2045.
- Advanced Energy United's influence in California led to Governor Gavin Newsom's executive order to phase out sale of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035.[23]
- The organization worked with Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) on a plan for the utility to achieve 100% clean energy.[24]
- AEU raised $701 million in New York for electric vehicle infrastructure programs through regulatory engagement.[25]
- Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance worked with Public Utility Commission of Texas to open proceedings on electrifying transportation. [26]
Federal and Wholesale Market Engagement
[edit]AEU has been engaged with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and has testified before Congress around stimulus for the advanced energy industry and the impact it has on the COVID-19 economic recovery. [27]
AEU filed in support of maintaining FERC Order 841 requiring that regional grid operators allow energy storage to compete in their wholesale markets.[28]
References
[edit]- ^ "Advanced Energy United". advancedenergyunited.org. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ a b "Advanced Energy United Members". advancedenergyunited.org. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "AEE - About AEE". www.aee.net. Advanced Energy Economy. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "Advanced Energy Economy Institute - GuideStar Profile". www.guidestar.org. Archived from the original on 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "Join". www.texasadvancedenergy.org. Advanced Energy Economy. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ United, Advanced Energy. "Insight Engine™ Overview". insightengine.org. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ Wright, David (9 July 2019). "Tom Steyer officially announces presidential bid | CNN Politics". CNN.
- ^ Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin "Alternative Energy & the Economy CNBC, December 15, 2011
- ^ Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin "Profiting From Clean Energy" CNBC, December 15, 2011
- ^ Advanced Energy Economy - Board of Directors AEE.net
- ^ "Graham Richard Announced as CEO of Advanced Energy Economy" Fort Wayne Observed, March 10, 2012
- ^ "Nat Kreamer, Advanced Energy Economy: Profile and Biography". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ Winer, Adam. "National business association Advanced Energy Economy rebranding as Advanced Energy United". blog.advancedenergyunited.org. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ Thompson, Calista. "Advanced Energy United and Institute Announce New CEO". blog.advancedenergyunited.org.
- ^ United, Advanced Energy. "AEEI: Board of Directors". www.aeeinstitute.org.
- ^ Goman, Cara (2016-01-15). "Global Microgrid Market to Reach $35.1B by 2020 and Other Quick Microgrid News". Microgrid Knowledge. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ Choi, Matthew (25 March 2021). "Interior's oil and gas showdown". POLITICO. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ Howl, Ethan (2020-11-10). "Stimulus Spending on Clean Energy, Including Microgrids, Could Boost Growth". Microgrid Knowledge. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ Steele, Ty (2021-04-22). "Why California's electric vehicle workforce is expected to double by 2024". KCRA. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ Bowman, London; Gibson, Sarah. "After local pushback, Indiana bill on wind, solar standards takes a '180 degree turn'". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "AEE Webinars | PUCs". www.aee.net. Advanced Energy Economy. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ Vogelsong, Sarah (March 6, 2020). "Virginia Clean Economy Act clears General Assembly, aided by beefed-up ratepayer protections". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "Advanced Energy Economy Letter to Governor Newsom". www.scalemicrogridsolutions.com. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "APS partners with clean energy business group to reach 100% carbon-free target". Utility Dive. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "NY Set to Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Stations". www.publicnewsservice.org. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "Interchange - Filings". interchange.puc.texas.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ "Hearing on "Building a 100 Percent Clean Economy: Solutions for the U.S. Power Sector"". Democrats, Energy and Commerce Committee. 2019-10-30. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
- ^ "'Enormous Step' for Energy Storage as Court Upholds FERC Order 841, Opening Wholesale Markets". www.greentechmedia.com. Retrieved 2021-05-17.