The non-renewability, environmental issues and health dangers related to the fossil fuels has actually caused exploration of alternative sources of energy to substitute the conventional ones. A promising innovation, still in its infancy, that could reveal us the method to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from grease 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 form.

Developed nations particularly United States and European Countries have currently made significant advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually found its use throughout industries and verticals and might become an ideal cleaner and more affordable alternative to gas, diesel and fossil fuels. India has also started checking out the opportunities to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are already operating in the country where vegetable oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol generally) to produce bio-diesel.

The primary reason for the increasing need for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, thus having no net effect on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines similar to normal petroleum diesel and hence can be used with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not need any separate infrastructure for its storage and can be kept much like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy need in the nation, increasing petroleum prices and the environmental risks of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has used up initiatives to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and set up 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 used as the pre-dominant raw products 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 most significant 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 contrast to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life-span of several years. The jatropha curcas seeds consist of 40% oil and are thought about to be an outstanding source of . The Government of India has determined 400,000 square kilometres of land ideal for the Jatropha cultivation 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 conserve around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will create 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 motivate the cultivation of Jatropha in India offering free seeds, subsidized loans and other centers. India needs to now reinforce its efforts to make the fullest use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides jatropha curcas, the avenues for drawing out biodiesel from vegetable oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil need to likewise be explored. It will not just provide a response to the challenge of Global Warming however might reduce our dependence on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.