The non-renewability, environmental concerns and health hazards related to the fossil fuels has actually caused exploration of alternative sources of energy to substitute the standard ones. An appealing technology, still in its infancy, that might show us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels stemmed from vegetable oil or animal-fat that might be utilized 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 contains no petroleum but can be blended with petroleum diesel for use or might be used in its pure type.

Developed countries specifically United States and European Countries have currently made considerable advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its usage throughout industries and verticals and might become a perfect cleaner and less expensive alternative to gas, diesel and fossil fuels. India has also begun checking out the chances to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A number 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 primary factor for the increasing demand for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, hence having no net effect on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines much like regular petroleum diesel and hence can be used with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not need any separate facilities for its storage and can be stored much like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the nation, increasing petroleum costs and the environmental risks of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has actually used up efforts to establish the Technology in India and set up more oil processing systems. The Government announced its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which aims to meet 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 used as the pre-dominant basic materials for oil processing and biodiesel production however in India the optimal potential 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 raw product is that this plant can be grown in substantial amounts in wastelands all across India needing very little water in comparison to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful lifespan of a number of years. The Jatropha seeds contain 40% oil and are considered to be an outstanding source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has recognized 400,000 square kilometres of land appropriate for the jatropha curcas cultivation in the country. India now

A study estimates that even if a mixing effort of 2% Jatropha based Biodiesel is attained in 2011-12, India will save 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 federal government is taking steps to encourage the growing of Jatropha in India providing complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India requires to now strengthen its efforts to make the maximum usage 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 likewise be explored. It will not only provide an answer to the obstacle of Global Warming however could decrease our dependence on foreign oil and add to our own economy.