Development of QM for Biomass DH Plants
On behalf of the Federal Office of Energy and several cantons, Swiss experts developed a QM system for larger wood-fired heating systems in 1998. After Storm Lothar on 26 December 1999, which left behind devastated forests with enough firewood to last for many years, the QM system was made mandatory by the federal government and cantons for larger subsidised wood-fired heating systems and was gradually expanded under the name QM for Biomass DH Plants.
In Switzerland, QM for Biomass DH Plants is represented by Wood Energy Switzerland, a competent point of contact in the field of wood energy for experts, builders, politicians, companies and interested private individuals. Wood Energy Switzerland has its headquarters in Zurich and branches in Echandens and Avegno.
In the 2000s, the German federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as Austria, faced the same problems as Switzerland and soon joined the QM for Biomass DH Plants working group (2004). This enabled the QM system to be further developed into an effective instrument for quality assurance of wood heating systems by an international committee of experts. Since 2020, Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia region) has also been a full member of ARGE QMH. Slovenia, the Netherlands, Belgium and Japan have also adopted parts of QM for Biomass DH Plants.
