The non-renewability, ecological issues and health dangers connected with the fossil fuels has led to expedition of alternative sources of energy to substitute the standard ones. An technology, still in its infancy, that could reveal us the method to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated 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 etc can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It includes no petroleum however can be blended with petroleum diesel for use or could be utilized in its pure type.

Developed countries specifically United States and European Countries have currently made considerable advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have actually discovered its use throughout markets and verticals and could emerge as a perfect 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 currently working in the country where veggie oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol usually) to produce bio-diesel.

The main reason for the increasing need for biodiesels is the truth that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net influence 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 adjustments. Biodiesel do not require any separate infrastructure for its storage and can be kept just like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the nation, increasing petroleum costs and the ecological risks of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has used up initiatives to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and established more oil processing units. The Government announced its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which aims to meet 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 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 greatest advantage of using jatropha curcas as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in substantial amounts in wastelands all throughout India needing really little water in contrast to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life expectancy of several decades. The jatropha curcas seeds contain 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 study estimates that even if a mixing effort of 2% Jatropha based Biodiesel is accomplished in 2011-12, India will save around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will produce around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and assistance in decrease of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The federal government is taking steps to motivate the cultivation of jatropha curcas in India providing totally 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 opportunities for extracting biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil need to also be checked out. It will not just supply a response to the challenge of Global Warming however could reduce our dependence on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.