The Tulane Energy Institute's mission is to provide educational opportunities and pursue research programs that are aimed at improving the understanding of the integration of energy markets, policy, technology, and the environment. The Institute provides an organizational framework for Tulane's energy-related initiatives. These initiatives include industry partnerships, education programming in energy finance, analysis, and risk management, primary and applied research capacity, and the development of a skilled pool of employee talent to work in the industry and related financial institutions.

The technological centerpiece of the Energy Institute is the Trading Center, a $3 million electronic trading room equipped with industry-leading simulation, trading and financial software from Thomson Reuters, Trading Technologies, Advantage Futures, and Oracle. The Trading Center acts as a hands-on laboratory for the teaching of energy, risk management, equities, and options.