The non-renewability, environmental concerns and health hazards associated with the fossil fuels has actually resulted in exploration of alternative sources of energy to replace the traditional ones. A promising technology, still in its infancy, that might reveal us the method to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from vegetable oil or animal-fat that might be used to run diesel motors. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, jatropha curcas and so on can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It consists of no petroleum however can be blended with petroleum diesel for usage or could be used in its pure type.

Developed nations particularly United States and European Countries have actually currently made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have found its usage throughout markets and verticals and might emerge as an ideal cleaner and cheaper option to petrol, diesel and fossil fuels. India has likewise begun exploring the chances to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently working in the nation where veggie oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol generally) to produce bio-diesel.

The primary factor for the increasing demand for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net impact on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines simply like typical petroleum diesel and for this reason can be utilized with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not require any different infrastructure for its storage and can be kept simply like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the country, rising petroleum prices and the ecological threats of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has taken up efforts to develop the Bio Diesel Technology in India and established more oil processing systems. The Government announced its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which aims to satisfy 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 basic materials for oil processing and biodiesel production but in India the maximum capacity to produce biodiesels is from Jatropha oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha jatropha curcas. The biggest benefit of using jatropha curcas as a raw product is that this plant can be grown in huge amounts in wastelands all across India needing really little water in contrast to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life expectancy of several years. The jatropha curcas seeds consist of 40% oil and are considered to be an excellent source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has recognized 400,000 square kilometres of land ideal for the jatropha curcas growing in the nation. India now

A research study estimates 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 generate around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and assistance in decrease of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The government is taking steps to encourage the cultivation of jatropha curcas in India supplying free seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India needs to now enhance its efforts to make the max 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 must also be explored. It will not just provide an answer to the challenge of Global Warming however might reduce our reliance on foreign oil and add to our own economy.