The non-renewability, ecological issues and health threats related to the nonrenewable fuel sources has resulted in exploration of alternative sources of energy to substitute 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 grease or animal-fat that could 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 consists of no petroleum however can be mixed with petroleum diesel for use or could be used in its pure type.

Developed countries especially United States and European Countries have already made considerable advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually discovered its usage throughout markets and verticals and might become an ideal cleaner and cheaper alternative to petrol, diesel and fossil fuels. India has also started exploring the chances to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently functioning in the nation where vegetable oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol typically) to produce bio-diesel.

The primary reason for the increasing need for biodiesels is the truth that biodiesels are eco-friendly and carbon-neutral, thus having no net effect on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines just like normal petroleum diesel and thus can be utilized with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not need any different infrastructure for its storage and can be kept much like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy need in the nation, rising petroleum rates and the ecological dangers of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has actually used up efforts to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and established more oil processing systems. The Government revealed 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 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 curcas oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The greatest benefit of utilizing Jatropha as a raw product is that this plant can be grown in big amounts in wastelands all throughout India needing really little water in contrast to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a useful lifespan of several decades. The jatropha curcas seeds contain 40% oil and are thought about to be an outstanding source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has determined 400,000 square kilometres of land ideal for the jatropha curcas growing in the country. India now

A research study estimates that even if a blending initiative 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 help in reduction of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The government is taking steps to encourage the growing of Jatropha in India supplying 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 opportunities for drawing out biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil should also be checked out. It will not only an answer to the challenge of Global Warming but could reduce our reliance on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.