The non-renewability, environmental issues and health risks connected with the fossil fuels has led to exploration of alternative sources of energy to replace the traditional ones. A promising technology, still in its infancy, that might show 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 engines. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, Jatropha etc can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It consists of no petroleum but can be blended with petroleum diesel for usage or might be used in its pure form.
Developed nations specifically United States and European Countries have currently made considerable advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its usage throughout markets and verticals and could become an ideal cleaner and cheaper alternative to fuel, diesel and fossil fuels. India has likewise started checking out the chances to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently operating in the country where veggie oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol usually) to produce bio-diesel.
The main factor for the increasing need for biodiesels is the truth that biodiesels are eco-friendly and carbon-neutral, thus having no net effect on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines similar to normal petroleum diesel and for this reason can be used with little or no engine adjustments. Biodiesel do not require any separate facilities for its storage and can be kept much like the petroleum based fuels.
Considering the growing energy need in the nation, rising petroleum rates and the environmental hazards of nonrenewable fuel sources, the Indian Government has actually taken up efforts to develop the Bio Diesel Technology in India and established 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, edible vegetable oils like sunflower, soya bean, rape seed, palm oil are utilized as the pre-dominant basic materials for oil processing and biodiesel production but in India the maximum potential to produce biodiesels is from jatropha curcas 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 big quantities in wastelands all across India needing really little water in comparison to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a helpful life expectancy of several decades. The jatropha curcas seeds include 40% oil and are thought about to be an outstanding source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has actually determined 400,000 square kilometres of land ideal for the jatropha curcas cultivation in the country. India now
A research study estimates that even if a blending effort of 2% Jatropha 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 help in decrease of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The government is taking steps to encourage the growing of Jatropha in India offering free seeds, subsidized loans and other centers. India needs to now strengthen its efforts to make the max use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides jatropha curcas, the avenues for extracting biodiesel from vegetable oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil should likewise be explored. It will not just offer a response to the obstacle of Global Warming but could reduce our dependence on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.
