The non-renewability, environmental issues and health dangers associated with the fossil fuels has resulted in exploration of alternative sources of energy to replace the traditional ones. An appealing technology, still in its infancy, that could show us the method to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels stemmed from veggie 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 contains no petroleum however can be blended with petroleum diesel for use or could be used in its pure kind.

Developed countries especially United States and European Countries have already made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have found its usage throughout industries and verticals and could emerge as a perfect cleaner and more affordable option to fuel, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has actually likewise started exploring the opportunities to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently operating in the nation where vegetable oils are reacted with alcohols (ethanol or methanol typically) to produce bio-diesel.

The main factor for the increasing need for biodiesels is the truth that biodiesels are renewable and carbon-neutral, hence having no net impact on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines much like normal petroleum diesel and for this reason can be used with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not need any different facilities for its storage and can be stored much like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the country, rising petroleum rates and the ecological risks of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has actually used up initiatives to develop 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 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 but in India the maximum potential to produce biodiesels is from jatropha curcas oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The greatest advantage of utilizing Jatropha as a raw material is that this plant can be grown in substantial amounts in all across India requiring really little water in contrast to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful lifespan of several years. The jatropha curcas seeds consist of 40% oil and are considered to be an excellent source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has identified 400,000 square kilometres of land appropriate for the jatropha curcas growing in the country. India now

A research study estimates that even if a blending effort of 2% jatropha curcas based Biodiesel is accomplished in 2011-12, India will conserve around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will create around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and assistance 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 curcas in India supplying totally free seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India requires to now strengthen its efforts to make the maximum usage of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, 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 provide a response to the obstacle of Global Warming but could reduce our reliance on foreign oil and add to our own economy.