The non-renewability, ecological issues and health hazards connected with the fossil fuels has caused exploration of alternative sources of energy to replace the standard ones. An appealing technology, still in its infancy, that could reveal us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from veggie oil or animal-fat that might be used 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 however can be mixed with petroleum diesel for use or could be utilized in its pure type.

Developed nations particularly United States and European Countries have actually already made significant advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its usage throughout markets and verticals and could emerge as a perfect cleaner and cheaper option to fuel, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has actually also begun checking out the opportunities to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently functioning in the nation where vegetable oils are reacted 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 renewable and carbon-neutral, hence having no net effect 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 adjustments. 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 costs and the ecological dangers of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has actually taken 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 used as the pre-dominant raw materials for oil processing and biodiesel production but in India the optimal potential to produce biodiesels is from Jatropha oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The biggest benefit of utilizing jatropha curcas as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in substantial amounts in wastelands all across India requiring very little water in contrast to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a useful lifespan of a number of decades. The Jatropha seeds consist of 40% oil and are considered to be an exceptional source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has recognized 400,000 square kilometres of land suitable for the jatropha curcas cultivation in the nation. India now

A research study approximates that even if a mixing initiative of 2% Jatropha 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 federal government is taking actions to encourage the growing of jatropha curcas in India providing complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other centers. India needs to now enhance its efforts to make the max use 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 also be explored. It will not only offer a response to the obstacle of Global Warming however could reduce our reliance on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.