The non-renewability, ecological concerns and health risks associated with the fossil fuels has actually resulted in expedition of alternative sources of energy to replace the traditional ones. An appealing technology, still in its infancy, that could show us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels stemmed from grease or animal-fat that might be utilized to run diesel engines. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, Jatropha etc can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It includes no petroleum however can be combined with petroleum diesel for use or might be used in its pure type.

Developed countries especially United States and European Countries have actually currently made significant advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually discovered its usage throughout industries and verticals and could become an ideal cleaner and cheaper alternative to fuel, diesel and fossil fuels. India has actually also begun exploring the opportunities to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are already working in the country where vegetable oils are reacted with alcohols (ethanol or methanol typically) to produce bio-diesel.

The main factor for the increasing demand for biodiesels is the reality that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, hence having no net effect on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines similar to regular petroleum diesel and hence can be used with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not need any different infrastructure for its storage and can be saved similar to the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the country, increasing petroleum prices and the ecological threats of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has taken up efforts to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and set up more oil processing systems. The Government revealed its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which intends to satisfy 20% of India's diesel need with bio-fuels in the coming years.

Globally, edible veggie oils like sunflower, soya bean, rape seed, palm oil are utilized as the pre-dominant basic materials for oil processing and biodiesel production however in India the maximum capacity to produce biodiesels is from - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The biggest advantage of using jatropha curcas as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in substantial amounts in wastelands all across India requiring extremely little water in comparison to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life expectancy of a number of decades. The jatropha curcas seeds consist of 40% oil and are thought about to be an exceptional source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has identified 400,000 square kilometres of land appropriate for the jatropha curcas cultivation in the nation. India now

A research study approximates that even if a mixing initiative of 2% jatropha curcas based Biodiesel is accomplished in 2011-12, India will save around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will produce around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and help in decrease of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The government is taking actions to encourage the growing of jatropha curcas in India offering complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India needs to now strengthen its efforts to make the maximum usage of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides jatropha curcas, the opportunities for drawing out biodiesel from vegetable oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil must likewise be checked out. It will not just provide an answer to the challenge of Global Warming however might decrease our reliance on foreign oil and add to our own economy.