The non-renewability, ecological concerns and health dangers connected with the fossil fuels has resulted in expedition of alternative sources of energy to replace the traditional ones. An appealing innovation, still in its infancy, that might show us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from veggie oil or animal-fat that might be utilized to run diesel engines. 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 includes no petroleum but can be combined with petroleum diesel for usage or could be used in its pure type.

Developed countries particularly United States and European Countries have actually already made significant advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually found its usage throughout markets and verticals and could emerge as an ideal cleaner and more affordable alternative to gas, diesel and fossil fuels. India has also started exploring the chances to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently functioning in the country where vegetable oils are reacted with alcohols (ethanol or methanol generally) to produce bio-diesel.

The primary reason for the increasing need for biodiesels is the truth that biodiesels are renewable and carbon-neutral, therefore 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 utilized with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not need any separate infrastructure for its storage and can be kept much like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the nation, rising petroleum prices and the ecological hazards 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 revealed 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 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 optimal 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 curcas as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in substantial quantities in wastelands all across India needing really little water in comparison to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a beneficial lifespan of numerous years. The jatropha curcas seeds consist of 40% oil and are considered to be an exceptional source of . The Government of India has identified 400,000 square kilometres of land suitable for the Jatropha growing in the nation. India now

A study estimates that even if a mixing effort of 2% jatropha curcas based Biodiesel is attained in 2011-12, India will save around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will create around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and assistance in reduction of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The government is taking actions to encourage the cultivation of jatropha curcas in India supplying complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India requires to now reinforce its efforts to make the fullest use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, 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 only provide a response to the difficulty of Global Warming however might decrease our dependence on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.