The AEE Arbeitsgemeinschaft ERNEUERBARE ENERGIE was founded in 1988 in Gleisdorf, Austria. The independent, non-profit association is committed to promoting the meaningful use of renewable energies and the rational, sustainable use of energy. 
Today, the AEE is an umbrella organization of six independent organizations with locations in Gleisdorf , Villach , Vienna and Salzburg .

Each of the five offices or institutes has developed very different emphases in recent years.