The non-renewability, environmental concerns and health risks associated with the fossil fuels has actually caused expedition of alternative sources of energy to substitute the traditional ones. A promising innovation, still in its infancy, that might reveal us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from vegetable oil or animal-fat that might 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 consists of no petroleum but can be mixed with petroleum diesel for use or might be utilized in its pure type.

Developed nations especially United States and European Countries have actually already made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually discovered its use across industries and verticals and could emerge as a perfect cleaner and more affordable option to petrol, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has actually likewise started exploring the chances to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are already functioning in the nation where vegetable oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol typically) to produce bio-diesel.

The main reason for the increasing need for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net impact on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines much like regular petroleum diesel and for this reason can be used with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not require any separate infrastructure for its storage and can be saved simply like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy need in the nation, increasing petroleum costs and the environmental hazards of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has actually used up efforts to develop the Bio Diesel Technology in India and set up more oil processing units. The Government announced its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which aims to fulfill 20% of India's diesel demand 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 raw materials for oil processing and biodiesel production but in India the optimal capacity to produce biodiesels is from jatropha curcas oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The biggest benefit of utilizing Jatropha as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in big quantities in wastelands all throughout India requiring very little water in contrast to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life expectancy of a number of years. The jatropha curcas seeds include 40% oil and are considered to be an outstanding source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has actually identified 400,000 square kilometres of land suitable for the Jatropha cultivation in the country. India now

A study estimates that even if a mixing effort of 2% Biodiesel is attained in 2011-12, India will conserve around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will create around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and assistance in reduction of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The federal government is taking actions to encourage the cultivation of jatropha curcas in India providing complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India needs to now reinforce its efforts to make the fullest usage of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the avenues for drawing out biodiesel from vegetable oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil must also be checked out. It will not just supply a response to the challenge of Global Warming but could reduce our reliance on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.