The non-renewability, environmental concerns and health dangers connected with the nonrenewable fuel sources has actually led to exploration of alternative sources of energy to replace the standard ones. An appealing technology, still in its infancy, that might reveal us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from grease 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 contains no petroleum but can be mixed with petroleum diesel for use or could be utilized in its pure form.

Developed countries specifically United States and European Countries have actually already made significant advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually discovered its use throughout markets and verticals and could become an ideal cleaner and less expensive option to petrol, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has actually also begun exploring the opportunities to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently functioning in the country where veggie oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol usually) to produce bio-diesel.

The primary factor for the increasing need for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are eco-friendly and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net influence on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines similar to normal petroleum diesel and thus can be utilized with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not require any different infrastructure for its storage and can be saved just like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the nation, rising petroleum prices and the ecological dangers of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has actually taken up initiatives to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and established 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 vegetable oils like sunflower, soya bean, rape seed, palm oil are used as the pre-dominant raw materials for oil processing and biodiesel production however in India the optimal potential to produce biodiesels is from jatropha curcas oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The biggest benefit of using Jatropha as a raw material is that this plant can be grown in big amounts in wastelands all across India requiring very little water in comparison to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a beneficial lifespan of numerous years. The Jatropha 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 ideal for the jatropha curcas cultivation in the country. India now

A research study approximates that even if a mixing effort of 2% jatropha curcas based Biodiesel is accomplished in 2011-12, India will conserve around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will produce around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and aid in reduction of Green House Gas by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The federal government is taking steps to encourage the cultivation of Jatropha in India offering free seeds, subsidized loans and other centers. India requires to now enhance its efforts to make the maximum use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the avenues for drawing out biodiesel from vegetable oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil should also be explored. It will not just provide a response to the obstacle of Global Warming however could reduce our reliance on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.