The non-renewability, environmental concerns and health threats related to the nonrenewable fuel sources has actually caused expedition of alternative sources of energy to replace the traditional 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 vegetable oil or animal-fat that might be used 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 combined with petroleum diesel for use or might be used in its pure form.

Developed nations especially United States and European Countries have already made significant advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually found its use across industries and verticals and could become a perfect cleaner and less expensive option to petrol, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has also begun checking out the opportunities to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently operating in the nation 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 are renewable and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net effect on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines much like typical petroleum diesel and for this reason can be utilized with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not need any different facilities for its storage and can be saved similar to the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the country, increasing petroleum costs and the ecological risks of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has actually 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 intends to meet 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 basic materials for oil processing and biodiesel production however in India the maximum potential to produce biodiesels is from jatropha curcas oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha jatropha curcas. The most significant benefit of using jatropha curcas as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in substantial quantities in wastelands all throughout India requiring really little water in comparison to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life expectancy of numerous years. The Jatropha seeds contain 40% oil and are considered to be an excellent source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has determined 400,000 square kilometres of land appropriate for the Jatropha growing in the country. India now

A study estimates that even if a blending effort of 2% jatropha curcas based Biodiesel is achieved 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 free seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India requires to now reinforce its efforts to make the fullest 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 checked out. It will not just offer a response to the obstacle of Global Warming however might reduce our reliance on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.