The non-renewability, ecological concerns and health hazards connected with the fossil fuels has resulted in exploration of alternative sources of energy to substitute the conventional ones. A promising innovation, still in its infancy, that might show us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from veggie oil or animal-fat that could be used to run diesel engines. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, Jatropha and so on can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It includes no petroleum however can be combined with petroleum diesel for use or could be used in its pure form.

Developed nations specifically United States and European Countries have actually already made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its usage across markets and verticals and could become a perfect cleaner and less expensive alternative to gas, diesel and fossil fuels. India has actually likewise started checking out the chances to produce and use bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently functioning in the nation where are reacted with alcohols (ethanol or methanol normally) to produce bio-diesel.

The primary factor for the increasing demand for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net effect on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines similar to normal petroleum diesel and for this reason can be used with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not need any separate infrastructure for its storage and can be saved similar to the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy need in the country, rising petroleum prices and the ecological threats of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has actually used up efforts to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and set up more oil processing units. 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 vegetable oils like sunflower, soya bean, rape seed, palm oil are utilized as the pre-dominant basic materials for oil processing and biodiesel production but in India the maximum potential to produce biodiesels is from Jatropha oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The most significant advantage of utilizing jatropha curcas as a raw material is that this plant can be grown in substantial quantities in wastelands all throughout India requiring extremely little water in comparison to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life-span of several decades. The jatropha curcas seeds include 40% oil and are considered to be an excellent source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has identified 400,000 square kilometres of land suitable for the jatropha curcas growing in the country. India now

A research study estimates that even if a mixing initiative of 2% jatropha curcas based Biodiesel is achieved in 2011-12, India will conserve 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 steps to motivate the cultivation of Jatropha in India offering free seeds, subsidized loans and other centers. India needs to now enhance its efforts to make the fullest use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the opportunities for drawing out biodiesel from vegetable oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil should likewise be explored. It will not just provide a response to the challenge of Global Warming but might decrease our reliance on foreign oil and add to our own economy.