The non-renewability, ecological issues and health risks related to the fossil fuels has resulted in exploration of alternative sources of energy to substitute the conventional ones. A promising technology, still in its infancy, that could reveal us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels derived from grease or animal-fat that might be utilized 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 petroleum but can be blended with petroleum diesel for usage or might be used in its pure kind.

Developed nations especially United States and European Countries have actually currently made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its use across industries and verticals and might become a perfect cleaner and cheaper option to gas, diesel and fossil fuels. India has also started exploring the chances to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are already working in the country where veggie oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol normally) to produce bio-diesel.

The primary factor for the increasing need for biodiesels is the truth that biodiesels are eco-friendly and carbon-neutral, thus having no net effect on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines much like typical petroleum diesel and for this reason can be used with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not require any separate infrastructure for its storage and can be kept similar to the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy need in the country, increasing petroleum prices and the ecological dangers of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has used up efforts to develop the Bio Diesel Technology in India and established more oil processing systems. The Government revealed its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which intends to fulfill 20% of demand with bio-fuels in the coming years.

Globally, edible vegetable oils like sunflower, soya bean, rape seed, palm oil are utilized as the pre-dominant raw materials for oil processing and biodiesel production however in India the maximum potential to produce biodiesels is from Jatropha 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 big quantities in wastelands all throughout India requiring really little water in contrast to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a beneficial lifespan of several decades. The Jatropha seeds contain 40% oil and are thought about to be an excellent source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has actually recognized 400,000 square kilometres of land suitable for the jatropha curcas growing in the nation. India now

A study estimates that even if a blending effort of 2% jatropha curcas based Biodiesel is attained in 2011-12, India will conserve around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will create 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 actions to motivate the growing of Jatropha in India supplying free seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India needs to now enhance its efforts to make the fullest 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 need to also be explored. It will not just offer a response to the challenge of Global Warming however might reduce our reliance on foreign oil and add to our own economy.