Overview
ISO/IEC 13273-2:2015 - "Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources - Common international terminology - Part 2: Renewable energy sources" is an international vocabulary standard that defines transversal concepts and terms in the field of renewable energy sources. As a horizontal standard (developed in line with IEC Guide 108), its primary purpose is to provide a consistent, common language for technical committees and standards developers preparing energy-related standards. The document organizes terms into concept systems and includes an informative Annex A describing the methodology used to develop the vocabulary.
Key topics
This part focuses on definitions and structured concepts (not prescriptive technical requirements). Key topics covered include:
- Fundamental energy terms: energy, energy source, intermittent energy source (examples: sun, wind), non‑renewable and renewable energy source.
- Biomass and bioenergy vocabulary: biomass, biofuel, solid/liquid biofuel, biogas (anaerobic fermentation and gasification origins).
- Renewable energy categories and subterms:
- Hydro energy (flowing or falling water)
- Marine energy and subtypes: tidal energy, ocean current energy, wave energy, salinity gradient energy, thermal gradient energy
- (Document also addresses terms related to solar, wind, geothermal, and aerothermal energy - organized by subclauses)
- Structure and use: normative references, vocabulary structure, and notes clarifying jurisdictional differences (e.g., what is considered “renewable” may vary by jurisdiction).
Applications
ISO/IEC 13273-2:2015 is a reference tool that improves clarity and consistency across standards, policies and technical documentation. Typical users include:
- Standards developers and ISO/IEC technical committees integrating consistent terminology into new or revised standards.
- Engineers, consultants and project developers drafting specifications, reports or interoperability documents for renewable energy projects.
- Regulators and policymakers harmonizing definitions in legislation, procurement and incentive programs.
- Academics, translators and technical writers who need authoritative, internationally accepted definitions for publications and training materials.
Benefits:
- Ensures consistent communication across disciplines and borders.
- Reduces ambiguity in technical standards, contracts and regulatory texts.
- Supports interoperability and cross-sector alignment in renewable energy projects.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 13273-1 - Part 1: Energy efficiency (companion vocabulary)
- IEC Guide 108 - Principles for horizontal standards development
- References cited within the standard (e.g., ISO 50001 materials and other harmonized glossaries) for aligned terminology.
Keywords: ISO/IEC 13273-2:2015, renewable energy terminology, common international terminology, energy vocabulary, renewable energy sources standard, marine energy, biomass, bioenergy.
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