The non-renewability, ecological concerns and health hazards related to the nonrenewable fuel sources has resulted in exploration of alternative sources of energy to substitute the conventional ones. A promising innovation, still in its infancy, that might show us the method to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from veggie oil or animal-fat that might be utilized to run diesel engines. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, jatropha curcas etc can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It includes no petroleum but can be combined with petroleum diesel for use or might be utilized in its pure form.

Developed nations particularly United States and European Countries have already made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have found its use across industries and verticals and could become a perfect cleaner and cheaper alternative to gas, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has also begun exploring the chances to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A variety of plants for biodiesel transesterification are already in the country where veggie oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol typically) to produce bio-diesel.

The main reason for the increasing demand for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are eco-friendly and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net influence on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines much like regular petroleum diesel and thus can be used with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not need any different facilities for its storage and can be saved much like the petroleum based fuels.

Considering the growing energy demand in the nation, increasing petroleum rates and the environmental hazards of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has actually used up initiatives to develop the Bio Diesel Technology in India and set up more oil processing units. The Government announced its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which intends to meet 20% of India's diesel need 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 basic materials for oil processing and biodiesel production however in India the maximum capacity to produce biodiesels is from jatropha curcas oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas. The greatest advantage of using Jatropha as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in substantial quantities in wastelands all throughout India requiring very little water in comparison to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a beneficial lifespan of numerous decades. The jatropha curcas seeds consist of 40% oil and are considered to be an excellent source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has recognized 400,000 square kilometres of land ideal for the jatropha curcas growing in the country. India now

A study approximates 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 produce around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and help in decrease 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 offering totally free seeds, subsidized loans and other centers. India requires to now strengthen its efforts to make the max use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides jatropha curcas, the avenues for drawing out biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil need to also be explored. It will not only offer an answer to the challenge of Global Warming but might decrease our reliance on foreign oil and add to our own economy.