The non-renewability, ecological issues and health risks associated with the fossil fuels has led to exploration of alternative sources of energy to replace the standard ones. An appealing technology, still in its infancy, that might reveal us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels stemmed from grease or animal-fat that could be used to run diesel engines. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, jatropha curcas etc can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It contains no petroleum however can be mixed with petroleum diesel for use or could be utilized in its pure type.

Developed nations particularly United States and European Countries have currently made significant advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually its use throughout industries and verticals and might become a perfect cleaner and less expensive option to fuel, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has likewise started checking out the chances to produce and use bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are already working in the nation where vegetable oils are reacted with alcohols (ethanol or methanol usually) to produce bio-diesel.

The primary factor for the increasing need for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are eco-friendly and carbon-neutral, hence having no net influence on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines similar to normal petroleum diesel and thus can be used with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not require any separate infrastructure for its storage and can be saved just like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy need in the country, increasing petroleum costs and the environmental hazards of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has used up initiatives to develop the Bio Diesel Technology in India and set up more oil processing systems. The Government revealed its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which intends to fulfill 20% of India's diesel need 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 raw materials for oil processing and biodiesel production however in India the maximum potential to produce biodiesels is from Jatropha oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The most significant advantage of utilizing jatropha curcas as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in big quantities in wastelands all throughout India needing really little water in contrast to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a useful life expectancy of several decades. The jatropha curcas seeds consist of 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 ideal for the Jatropha growing in the nation. India now

A research study estimates that even if a blending effort 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 help in reduction 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 supplying free seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India requires to now strengthen its efforts to make the fullest 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 checked out. It will not only offer a response to the challenge of Global Warming however might decrease our dependence on foreign oil and add to our own economy.