The non-renewability, ecological concerns and health hazards associated with the nonrenewable fuel sources has actually caused expedition of alternative sources of energy to replace the conventional ones. A promising technology, still in its infancy, that might reveal us the way to the is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from grease or animal-fat that might be utilized to run diesel motors. 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 use or might be used in its pure type.

Developed countries particularly United States and European Countries have already made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its use across markets and verticals and might emerge as a perfect cleaner and less expensive option to petrol, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has actually also started exploring the opportunities to produce and use bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently operating in the country where vegetable oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol normally) to produce bio-diesel.

The primary factor for the increasing demand 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 similar to typical petroleum diesel and for this reason can be used with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not need any separate facilities for its storage and can be stored much like 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 actually taken up efforts to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and established more oil processing units. The Government revealed its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which intends to satisfy 20% of India's diesel demand with bio-fuels in the coming years.

Globally, edible veggie 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 capacity to produce biodiesels is from Jatropha oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The biggest advantage of using jatropha curcas as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in huge quantities in wastelands all across India needing really little water in comparison to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life expectancy of numerous years. The jatropha curcas seeds contain 40% oil and are considered to be an exceptional source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has identified 400,000 square kilometres of land suitable for the Jatropha cultivation in the nation. India now

A study estimates that even if a mixing initiative of 2% jatropha curcas based Biodiesel is achieved in 2011-12, India will conserve around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will generate around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and help in decrease of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The government is taking actions to encourage the growing of jatropha curcas in India providing complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India requires to now strengthen its efforts to make the max 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 must also be explored. It will not just offer an answer to the difficulty of Global Warming however could reduce our reliance on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.