The non-renewability, ecological issues and health dangers related to the fossil fuels has caused exploration of alternative sources of energy to replace the traditional ones. An appealing innovation, still in its infancy, that could show us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels derived from grease 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 but can be blended with petroleum diesel for usage or could be used in its pure type.

Developed nations specifically United States and European Countries have currently made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its use throughout industries and verticals and might become a perfect cleaner and less expensive alternative to fuel, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has likewise begun exploring the chances to produce and use 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 main factor for the increasing need for biodiesels is the reality that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net effect on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines much like typical 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 similar to the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the country, increasing petroleum prices and the ecological dangers of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has used up efforts 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 aims to fulfill 20% of India's diesel demand with bio-fuels in the coming years.

Globally, oils like sunflower, soya bean, rape seed, palm oil are used as the pre-dominant raw materials for oil processing and biodiesel production but in India the optimal capacity to produce biodiesels is from Jatropha oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The biggest benefit of utilizing Jatropha as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in big amounts in wastelands all throughout India needing really little water in comparison to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful lifespan of a number of decades. The Jatropha seeds consist of 40% oil and are considered to be an excellent source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has actually determined 400,000 square kilometres of land suitable for the Jatropha cultivation in the country. India now

A study estimates that even if a blending initiative of 2% Jatropha based Biodiesel is achieved in 2011-12, India will conserve around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will generate 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 in India supplying free seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India needs to now reinforce its efforts to make the fullest usage of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the opportunities for drawing out biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil ought to also be checked out. It will not only supply a response to the obstacle of Global Warming but might decrease our dependence on foreign oil and add to our own economy.