January 2026 Launch: Essential Standards for Energy and Heat Transfer Engineering

The landscape of energy and heat transfer engineering is rapidly evolving, and January 2026 marks a pivotal month with the publication of three significant international standards. These new guidelines serve as the latest references for optimizing system control, boosting renewable integration, and enhancing measurement accuracy within the sector. Covering photovoltaic controller requirements, advanced heliostat field management in solar tower plants, and precise noise measurement methods for reciprocating engines, these standards are set to drive improvements in performance, safety, and regulatory compliance across the energy domain.

For professionals—from engineers and researchers to quality managers and procurement specialists—understanding these updates is vital for ensuring robust operations, aligning with best practices, and meeting international market expectations.

Introduction to Energy and Heat Transfer Engineering Standards

Energy and heat transfer engineering underpin the technological backbone of modern infrastructures, including power generation, building HVAC, renewable energy systems, and industrial machinery. Standards in this field are crucial: they define interoperability, enhance safety, support regulatory compliance, and facilitate international trade.

This article unpacks January 2026’s three newly published standards, offering insight into their technical requirements, practical impact, and pathways to successful implementation. Readers will gain a clear understanding of:

• New control requirements for photovoltaic-driven appliances
• Advanced specifications for solar tower heliostat control systems
• Improved methodologies for structure-borne noise measurement in reciprocating engines

Detailed Standards Coverage

FprEN IEC 63349-1:2025 - Photovoltaic Direct-Driven Appliance Controllers

Photovoltaic Direct-Driven Appliance Controllers – Part 1: General Requirements

This standard, developed by CLC and IEC, sets forth the control functions and performance requirements for photovoltaic direct-driven appliance (PVDDA) controllers. PVDDA controllers manage power flows among multiple sources—photovoltaic arrays, the grid, energy storage, and more—and direct that power to various appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and water pumps. The requirements apply to systems operating up to 1,500V DC or 1,000V AC, aligning with contemporary high-voltage trends in renewable energy deployment.

Scope and Applicability

FprEN IEC 63349-1:2025 focuses on the controller’s ability to:

• Transform, regulate, and control power distribution
• Interface with different power converters (such as MPPT, VFDs, grid-tied converters)
• Adapt to a range of application scenarios, from isolated PV-appliance systems to complex arrangements including grid and energy storage

The controlled devices may require additional compliance with specific safety standards (e.g., IEC 62109‑1/‑2 for PV-converter safety; IEC 62909‑1/‑2 for grid-tied bi-directional converters).

Key Requirements and Specifications

• Environmental Operating Range: –25°C to +45°C, up to 2,000 m altitude, 0–95% relative humidity
• Mandatory Control Strategies: Grid power curtailment and load management to ensure reliability under fluctuating conditions
• Test Regimes: Performance validation under high/low temperatures, vibration, damp heat, and insulation stress
• Marked Ratings: Clear specification of input/output ratings on PV, grid, storage, and appliance interfaces
• Switching Times: Defined procedures for smooth transitions between grid-connected and off-grid states, and between charge/discharge modes in storage systems

Who Needs to Comply?

• Manufacturers and system integrators of renewable PV appliance controllers
• Solar energy solution providers
• Appliance manufacturers incorporating direct PV drive

Practical Implementation

• Mapping control requirements for appliance compatibility
• Coordinating safety testing of converters and drive systems
• Documenting compliance per manufacturer manuals and test regimes

Notable Changes

• This edition elevates interoperability and operational stability by formalizing test procedures and environmental tolerances.

Key highlights:

• Includes test configurations for diverse PV-connected system architectures
• Clarifies control priorities for both appliance performance and economic efficiency
• Establishes uniform marking and reporting criteria for manufacturers

Access the full standard:View FprEN IEC 63349-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 62862-4-2:2026 - Heliostat Field Control System of Solar Tower Plants

Solar Thermal Electric Plants – Part 4-2: Heliostat Field Control System of Solar Tower Plants

This international standard, developed by the IEC, defines the technical requirements, safety provisions, and test methods for the heliostat field control system—the core component managing the mirrors in a solar power tower plant. Such systems are critical for maximizing plant output, ensuring accurate solar beam delivery, and safeguarding against failures.

Scope and Applicability

IEC 62862-4-2:2026 covers:

• The core functions and safety mechanisms of heliostat field control, including emergency protocols
• Real-time data acquisition for operational states, diagnostic information, and environmental parameters
• Requirements for system redundancy, availability (greater than 99%), and seamless scalability

The standard applies to all new solar tower plants globally, as well as upgrades or retrofits involving control system components.

Key Requirements and Specifications

• System Redundancy: Dual power supplies, server failover provisions, and standby equipment protocols
• Operational Modes: Comprehensive control over tracking, standby, calibration, windproof, hailproof, cleaning, and maintenance modes
• Safety Functions: Emergency defocusing, wind/hail interlock protection, communication fallbacks, and electrical interlock for power failure scenarios
• Control Accuracy: Automated calibration and periodic testing to maintain high-precision targeting and tracking
• Cybersecurity: Conformance with IEC 62443-2-4 for industrial automation control system security
• Human-Machine Interface (HMI): Requirements for data input/display, alarm management, and user accessibility
• Testing Regimes: Methodical procedures for redundancy, functionality, environmental resistance, EMC, and grounding

Who Needs to Comply?

• EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractors for solar tower projects
• Solution providers developing or supplying heliostat field controllers
• Plant operators and asset managers

Practical Implementation

• Define integration strategy for new or existing heliostat systems
• Plan for periodic calibration and data storage compliance
• Assign roles for safety-critical actions (e.g., emergency defocusing authority)

Notable Changes

• Introduces more granular operational mode management and specifies rapid, automated safeguarding protocols
• Updates to cybersecurity best practices and system availability metrics

Key highlights:

• Sets benchmarks for >99% system availability and seamless failover
• Mandates programmable controller-based emergency defocusing
• Details full-range environmental and EMC test scenarios for field deployments

Access the full standard:View IEC 62862-4-2:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 13332:2026 - Structure-Borne Noise Measurement for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines

Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines — Test Code for the Measurement of Structure-Borne Noise Emitted from High-Speed and Medium-Speed Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines Measured at the Engine Feet

The second edition of ISO 13332 (2026) sets out modernized test procedures for quantifying structure-borne noise emissions from reciprocating engines. With growing emphasis on acoustic environments in buildings, machinery halls, rolling stock, and marine installations, this standard provides critical methods for engine vibration assessment at the foundation points—key for mitigating secondary noise across structures.

Scope and Applicability

• Applies to high- and medium-speed reciprocating engines for land, rail, and marine use
• Excludes low-speed engines and those in agricultural, automotive, and aviation propulsion
• May be extended to industrial machinery where no existing international standard exists

Key Requirements and Specifications

• Measurement Approach: Engineering method (not precision-only), allowing on-bench or in-situ implementation
• Sensor Placement and Calibration: Strict criteria for accelerometer mounting at engine feet; calculation routines for translational and angular velocity levels
• Environmental Controls: Sets limits on temperature, humidity, and permissible acoustic environment during testing
• Uncertainty and Reporting: Quantifies tolerance bands, specifies reproducibility requirements, mandates test report content, and correction methodologies
• Mounting Flexibility: Guidance for resilient supports and arrangements reflecting actual field installation
• Annex Coverage: Details corrections for sensor position, frequency range selection, and record-keeping

Who Needs to Comply?

• Engine manufacturers and test laboratories
• Certification organizations for marine/rail applications
• Researchers and acoustic consultants

Practical Implementation

• Adherence to standardized accelerometer installation and reporting templates
• Alignment with ISO 2954 and ISO 3046 for auxiliary conditions
• Careful selection of operating regimes during test execution

Notable Changes

• Expanded definitions, new methodologies for velocity measurement, and greater clarity on mounting correction factors over the previous ISO 13332 edition

Key highlights:

• Validates measured noise with engineering-level accuracy bands
• Provides flexible guidance for both new installations and retrofit testing
• Supplements noise control strategy development for built environments

Access the full standard:View ISO 13332:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Business Implications

The release of these energy and heat transfer engineering standards creates new requirements and opportunities for:

• Manufacturers: Improved product reliability, enhanced documentation requirements, and access to global markets
• Operators: Streamlined maintenance and diagnostics, better integration of renewable sources, and lower total cost of ownership
• Procurement Specialists: Clear benchmarks for vendor evaluation and contractual compliance

Compliance Considerations and Timelines

• Adopting these standards early ensures smoother conformity assessment and mitigates the risk of non-compliance
• Transition periods may vary, but planning for certification, system retrofit, or upgrade is recommended within 6–18 months of publication
• Regulatory environments may rapidly incorporate these standards, so proactive engagement pays dividends

Benefits of Adoption

• Strengthened safety and operational resilience
• Enhanced efficiency, both for individual components and entire systems
• Support for sustainable project delivery and lifecycle management

Risks of Non-Compliance

• Legal exposure and project delays due to regulatory misalignment
• Engineering inefficiencies and operational safety incidents
• Reputational damage in international supply chains

Technical Insights

Common Themes Across the 2026 Standards

1. Emphasis on Testability and Validation: Each standard elevates the importance of rigorous testing—be it environmental, operational, or data-driven performance.
2. System Integration Complexity: The ability to manage multiple power sources, interfaces, and critical safety functions is central, making standards implementation both a technical and strategic priority.
3. Data and Reporting: Uniform reporting protocols—not just for compliance but also for future analytics and improvements—are now integral.

Implementation Best Practices

• Plan for Early Certification: Engage with certification bodies and accredited laboratories promptly.
• Integrate Standards at Design Phase: Whether deploying PV-direct driven appliances or solar tower controls, embedding these requirements upstream ensures compliance and saves cost.
• Test Beyond Minimums: Where possible, exceed minimum environmental and operational test conditions to future-proof installations.
• Involve Multidisciplinary Teams: Coordination between electrical, mechanical, and IT professionals is essential, especially for control systems with cybersecurity and HMI elements.

Testing and Certification

• Utilize specialized facilities for vibration, heat, and EMC tests per standard protocols
• Maintain meticulous records—uniform reporting requirements are now codified and referenced in procurement and regulatory reviews
• Factor in calibration intervals and uncertainty reporting; these are pivotal in engine noise, power electronics, and solar field commissioning

Conclusion and Next Steps

The January 2026 release of these three foundational standards signals a new era for the energy and heat transfer engineering sector. From increased control sophistication in photovoltaic systems and heliostat fields to state-of-the-art measurement for engine-induced vibration, professionals must act now to evaluate and align with these requirements.

Key Takeaways:

• Review and adapt internal specifications and documentation in light of new control, test, and reporting requirements
• Prioritize certification and supplier vetting for products and solutions claiming compliance with FprEN IEC 63349-1:2025, IEC 62862-4-2:2026, and ISO 13332:2026
• Invest in continuous education and awareness to remain agile amid future updates

Recommended Actions:

1. Explore the full text of each standard via iTeh Standards for authoritative detail and procurement
2. Organize training and compliance workshops for relevant teams
3. Engage with industry groups and regulatory authorities to track timelines and enforcement

Stay ahead with iTeh Standards by reviewing the full standards and leveraging best-in-class resources—a foundation for compliance, innovation, and long-term success in energy and heat transfer engineering.