The non-renewability, ecological issues and health dangers related to the nonrenewable fuel sources has actually led to exploration of alternative sources of energy to substitute the conventional ones. An appealing technology, still in its infancy, that might show us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels stemmed from vegetable oil 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 includes no petroleum but can be mixed with petroleum diesel for use or could be utilized 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 throughout markets and verticals and might emerge as an ideal cleaner and cheaper option to fuel, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has likewise started checking out the opportunities to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are already functioning in the country where veggie oils are reacted with alcohols (ethanol or methanol typically) to produce bio-diesel.

The main reason for the increasing need for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are renewable and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net influence on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines similar to normal petroleum diesel and hence can be used with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not require any different facilities for its storage and can be stored similar to the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy need in the nation, increasing petroleum prices and the environmental hazards of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has taken up efforts to establish 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 utilized as the pre-dominant raw products for oil processing and biodiesel production but in India the maximum to produce biodiesels is from Jatropha oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The biggest benefit of using jatropha curcas as a raw material is that this plant can be grown in substantial amounts in wastelands all throughout India needing really little water in contrast to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life expectancy of a number of years. The Jatropha seeds consist of 40% oil and are thought about to be an outstanding source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has actually recognized 400,000 square kilometres of land suitable for the Jatropha cultivation in the country. India now

A research study estimates that even if a mixing initiative of 2% Jatropha based Biodiesel is accomplished in 2011-12, India will save around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will generate 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 steps to encourage the cultivation of Jatropha in India supplying totally free seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India requires to now reinforce its efforts to make the fullest use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides jatropha curcas, the opportunities for drawing out biodiesel from vegetable oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil should also be explored. It will not only offer an answer to the challenge of Global Warming but could decrease our dependence on foreign oil and add to our own economy.