The non-renewability, ecological issues and health threats related to the fossil fuels has actually led to exploration of alternative sources of energy to substitute the ones. A promising technology, still in its infancy, that might reveal us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from grease or animal-fat that might be used to run diesel engines. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, Jatropha and so on can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It contains no petroleum but can be combined with petroleum diesel for usage or could be used in its pure form.

Developed countries particularly United States and European Countries have actually already made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have found its use across markets and verticals and could become a perfect cleaner and less expensive option to gas, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has actually also begun exploring the chances to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are already working in the nation where veggie oils are reacted with alcohols (ethanol or methanol generally) to produce bio-diesel.

The primary factor for the increasing need for biodiesels is the truth that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, hence having no net influence on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines similar to typical petroleum diesel and for this reason can be utilized with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not need any separate infrastructure for its storage and can be kept similar to the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the country, rising petroleum costs and the ecological risks of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has taken up efforts to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and set up more oil processing systems. The Government announced its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which aims to fulfill 20% of India's diesel need 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 capacity to produce biodiesels is from jatropha curcas oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The most significant benefit of using Jatropha as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in huge amounts in wastelands all throughout India needing extremely little water in contrast to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful lifespan of several years. The jatropha curcas seeds include 40% oil and are thought about to be an excellent source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has recognized 400,000 square kilometres of land suitable 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 attained in 2011-12, India will conserve around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will produce around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and aid in decrease of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The federal government is taking steps to motivate the growing of Jatropha in India providing complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India needs to now enhance its efforts to make the maximum usage of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the opportunities for extracting biodiesel from vegetable oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil should also be explored. It will not only offer a response to the obstacle of Global Warming but could decrease our reliance on foreign oil and add to our own economy.