multilateral exchange of energy research information:

Multilateral Exchange of Energy Research Information:

The Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDE)

And Its Relevance to South Africa’s Energy Research Interests

Johannesburg, South Africa

21 February 2007

Brian A. Hitson

Chair, IEA Energy Technology Data Exchange

(U.S. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information)

ETDE’s History

ETDE was formed in 1987 as a multilateral energy R&D information exchange agreement, replacing numerous bilateral agreements.

Initially, 11 founding member countries; currently, 16 member countries plus “partners.”

A “cross-sectional” Implementing Agreement under the End-Use Working Party.

ETDE’s Mission

Mission: “To provide governments, industry and the research community in the member countries with access to the widest range of information on energy research, science and technology and to increase dissemination of this information to developing countries.”

Current ETDE Member Countries

Brazil Canada Denmark Finland France Germany

Korea, Rep. of The Netherlands NorwayMexico

SwitzerlandSweden United Kingdom United States

SpainPortugal

ETDE’s “Product” – ETDEWEB 3.8 million energy research, technology, and development

(RTD) – the world’s largest database of energy RTD information.

“ETDEWEB is clearly the information system of reference; many national websites on energy RTD link to ETDEWEB.” (source: European Commission, May 2005, “Energy RTD Information Systems in the European Research Area”)

Broad coverage of energy and environmental subjects: “Renewables” -- 225,202 records

“Fossil fuels” -- 553,687 records

“Energy Planning, Policy and Economy” -- 195,408 records

“Energy Conservation, Consumption and Utilization” -- 166,833 records

“Environmental” -- 252,860

ETDE’s “One-Stop” Searching Technology

ETDE Membership – Obligations and Benefits

Obligations

Task-sharing: prepare and submit records of energy RTD activities published within the member country (from journals, technical reports, conference proceedings, books, etc.), including full text when available.

Cost-sharing: make contribution to cover annual cost of the exchange (i.e., primarily, ETDEWEB), consisting of “base” fee and “additional” contribution.

ETDE Membership – Obligations and Benefits (cont’d)

Benefits Staying abreast of recent developments in various research

areas (including some basic sciences).

Avoiding duplication of research effort and learning from expected and unexpected results.

Jump-starting research at a point further along than anticipated.

Identifying which countries and people are involved in particular research areas.

Understanding how countries deal with energy-related environmental and climate change issues.

Contracting party has right to determine ETDEWEB access within its national borders.

Conclusions/Questions

ETDE welcomes and encourages South African membership.

ETDE celebrates 20th anniversary, culminating in public conference in Lisbon, July 2007.

ETDE appreciates the IEA’s NEET initiative.

Contact:Brian Hitson, Chair

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDE)

hitsonb@osti.gov+1-865-576-1199