Biogas Safety first!

Organisations
German Biogas Association
Angerbrunnenstraße 12
85356 Freising, Germany
Phone: +49 8161 9846-60
Fax: +49 8161 9846-70
E-mail: info@biogas.org
URL: www.biogas.org
The German Biogas Association unites operators,
manufacturers and planners of biogas plants, representatives
from science and research and all those
interested in the industry. Since its establishment in
1992, the association, which has more than 4,800
members, has become the most influential organisation
in the field of biogas worldwide. The Association
works closely with various international organisations
and provides knowledge from seasoned biogas
experts. This is gained from the experience gathered
with about 9,000 biogas plants in operation in Germany
over several decades.
The Association has excellent expertise and knowledge
in nearly all aspects of biogas, biogas plants
and biogas plant operation and is involved in all official
German and various international bodies where
standards or regulations for biogas plants are discussed
and defined. One example is its contribution
within an ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation)
working group to define terms, definitions
and classifications of biogas systems.
The issue of safety at biogas plants has been a statutory
goal of the Association since its foundation, and
is addressed through the following activities:
evaluation of scientific findings, practical experience
and actual incidents
organisation of a working group on safety and
associated sub-groups
drafting of quality standards (e.g. safety rules for
biogas plants) for the planning, construction and
operation of biogas plants
promotion of knowledge-sharing through conferences
and training courses
publication of knowledge through its own specialist
journal, technical texts and presentations
The training of biogas plant operators has become
increasingly important in recent years. In light of
this, three German associations, the German Technical
and Scientific Association for Gas and Water
(DVGW – Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches
e.V.), the German Association for Water,
Wastewater and Waste (DWA – Deutsche Vereinigung
für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall e.
V.) and the German Biogas Association established
the Biogas Training Network in October 2013.
The main aim of the Biogas Training Network is to
provide standardised, proficient training and continuing
professional development for biogas plant operators
and individuals involved in the operation of
biogas plants throughout Germany. At the time of its
foundation, the Biogas Training Network began with
five training establishments. As of July 2016 there
are 16 training organisations offering the training
to obtain the operator qualification for biogas plant
safety. To date, more than 3,500 people have been
trained through the Biogas Training Network.
Year of foundation: 1992 · number of employees: 43
64