Within that agreement, ETDE has established four objectives for operation. The first two objectives are functional and are accomplished through the organization's primary product, ETDE's Energy Database . Collect and exchange energy research and technology information through the creation and maintenance of a common database. Disseminate and promote the energy research and technology information managed by the Exchange. To achieve these objectives, each member country creates bibliographic records and abstracts of nationally published, energy-related literature.
Members then feed the information to a central point for merging into the ever-growing database.
Now the world's largest source of energy research and technology information, the database nearly four million abstracted and indexed records. The OA works with Contracting Parties from the member countries who input their information to the database and then promote its use within their borders. The remaining two objectives, although also dealing with how the exchange functions, have an international focus. Collaborate with other providers of energy research and technology information in order to avoid duplication of efforts. ETDE maintains relationships with the other IEA Information Centres, working jointly on projects where appropriate, and sharing operational ideas and activities with other OAs.