eseia was founded in July 2009 by three proponents from Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), Franz Stelzer, Vice-Rector Research and Technology, Michael Narodoslawsky, Professor Process and Particle Engineering and Brigitte Hasewend, Director International and Strategic Partnerships. eseia is a strategic partner in the eCANDO EIT-ENERGY KIC Proposal submitted to the EIT end of August 2009. The legal status of eseia is a non-profit association under Austrian law. The eseia-Secretariat is located in Graz where the President of eseia, Hans Sünkel, Rector of TU Graz is based.eseia is a European cross-sector membership organisation of scientific, business and political partner organisations from European countries and outside. 70 organisations from 23 European countries have expressed their interest to become members of eseia.Among themselves the eseia members cover all relevant fields in sustainable energy from energy provision to energy consumption in research, teaching and innovation.eseia is active in several fields such as the management of sustainable energy innovation programmes, the organisation of expert panels, the design of entrepreneurial education programmes, the dialogue with the public, lobbying for sustainable energy solutions on various levels and foster international cooperation.