The non-renewability, environmental concerns and health dangers related to the nonrenewable fuel sources has actually resulted in exploration of alternative sources of energy to replace the traditional ones. A promising innovation, still in its infancy, that could reveal us the method 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 curcas etc can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It contains no petroleum but can be combined with petroleum diesel for use or might be utilized in its pure type.

Developed countries specifically United States and European Countries have actually already made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its use throughout markets and verticals and could become an ideal cleaner and more affordable alternative to gas, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has actually also begun checking out the opportunities to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently operating in the country where vegetable oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol usually) to produce bio-diesel.

The main factor for the need for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are renewable and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net influence on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines just like regular petroleum diesel and hence can be used with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not require any separate infrastructure for its storage and can be stored similar to the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the nation, increasing petroleum prices and the environmental hazards of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has used up initiatives 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 intends 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 maximum potential to produce biodiesels is from jatropha curcas oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The most significant advantage of using Jatropha as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in huge amounts in wastelands all across India requiring really little water in contrast to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful lifespan of numerous years. The Jatropha seeds include 40% oil and are thought about to be an excellent source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has recognized 400,000 square kilometres of land ideal for the Jatropha growing 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 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 steps to encourage the cultivation of jatropha curcas in India providing 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 curcas, the avenues for drawing out biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil should likewise be explored. It will not just supply a response to the obstacle of Global Warming however could reduce our reliance on foreign oil and add to our own economy.