The non-renewability, environmental concerns and health hazards connected with the fossil fuels has led to expedition of alternative sources of energy to replace the conventional ones. An appealing innovation, still in its infancy, that might show us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels stemmed 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 contains no petroleum but can be blended with petroleum diesel for use or might be used in its pure type.

Developed countries particularly United States and European Countries have currently made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually discovered its use throughout markets and verticals and might become a perfect cleaner and cheaper option to fuel, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has actually also begun checking out the chances to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are already operating in the country where veggie oils are reacted with alcohols (ethanol or methanol generally) to produce bio-diesel.

The main factor for the increasing need for biodiesels is the reality that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net effect on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines just like typical petroleum diesel and thus can be utilized with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not need any different facilities for its storage and can be kept much like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy need in the nation, rising petroleum rates and the ecological threats of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has actually taken up initiatives to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and established 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 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 capacity to produce biodiesels is from jatropha curcas oil - a non-edible one from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The most significant advantage of utilizing jatropha curcas as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in big amounts in wastelands all throughout India requiring really little water in comparison to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a useful life expectancy of a number of years. The jatropha curcas seeds include 40% oil and are considered to be an exceptional source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has actually determined 400,000 square kilometres of land suitable for the jatropha curcas cultivation in the country. India now

A study estimates that even if a blending effort of 2% jatropha curcas based Biodiesel is accomplished in 2011-12, India will save around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will generate around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and aid in reduction of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The government is taking steps to motivate the growing of Jatropha in India providing free seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India needs to now enhance its efforts to make the fullest usage of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the avenues for drawing out biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil ought to likewise be checked out. It will not just offer a response to the challenge of Global Warming but could reduce our reliance on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.