The non-renewability, environmental concerns and health risks connected with the fossil fuels has led to expedition of alternative sources of energy to replace the traditional ones. A promising technology, still in its infancy, that might reveal us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels stemmed from grease or animal-fat that might be utilized to run diesel motors. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, Jatropha and so on can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It consists of no petroleum but can be combined with petroleum diesel for usage or might be utilized in its pure form.

Developed nations especially United States and European Countries have already made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually discovered its usage across markets and verticals and might become a perfect cleaner and cheaper alternative to gas, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has also begun exploring the opportunities to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently functioning in the country where veggie oils are reacted with alcohols (ethanol or methanol normally) to produce bio-diesel.

The main factor for the increasing demand for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are renewable and carbon-neutral, thus having no net effect on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines similar to typical petroleum diesel and hence can be utilized with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not require any different facilities for its storage and can be kept similar to the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy need in the country, rising petroleum prices and the environmental threats of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has actually taken up initiatives to develop the Bio Diesel Technology in India and established more oil processing units. The Government revealed its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which intends 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 however in India the maximum capacity to produce biodiesels is from jatropha curcas oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The greatest advantage of utilizing Jatropha as a raw product is that this plant can be grown in big quantities in wastelands all throughout India requiring really little water in contrast to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful lifespan of numerous years. The Jatropha seeds consist of 40% oil and are considered to be an exceptional source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has determined 400,000 square kilometres of land appropriate for the Jatropha cultivation in the country. India now

A research study estimates that even if a mixing effort of 2% Jatropha based Biodiesel is attained in 2011-12, India will save 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 federal government is taking to encourage the growing of jatropha curcas in India supplying complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other centers. India requires to now reinforce its efforts to make the maximum use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides jatropha curcas, the avenues for extracting biodiesel from vegetable oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil must likewise be checked out. It will not just supply a response to the obstacle of Global Warming however might reduce our dependence on foreign oil and add to our own economy.