The non-renewability, environmental issues and health dangers associated with the nonrenewable fuel sources has led to expedition of alternative sources of energy to replace the traditional ones. A promising technology, 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 could be used to run diesel engines. Vegetables oils like sunflower, rape seed, palm oil, soya bean, Jatropha and so on can be subjected to oil processing to produce biodiesels. It includes no petroleum but can be mixed with petroleum diesel for usage or might be used in its pure type.
Developed countries specifically United States and European Countries have actually already made significant advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have found its usage across markets and verticals and might become a perfect cleaner and cheaper option to petrol, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has actually likewise begun checking out the chances to produce and use bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently working in the country where vegetable oils are responded with alcohols (ethanol or methanol normally) to produce bio-diesel.
The main reason for the increasing need for biodiesels is the fact that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, hence having no net impact on the climate. Besides, bio-diesel operates in compression engines similar to regular petroleum diesel and thus can be used with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not need any different facilities for its storage and can be kept much like the petroleum based fuels.
Considering the growing energy need in the country, rising petroleum rates and the environmental threats 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 systems. The Government announced 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 used 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 greatest benefit of utilizing Jatropha as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in huge quantities in wastelands all across India needing really little water in comparison to other cash crops. Once grown, the plant has a beneficial life expectancy of several years. The Jatropha seeds contain 40% oil and are thought about to be an exceptional source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has recognized 400,000 square kilometres of land ideal for the Jatropha cultivation in the nation. India now
A research study approximates that even if a blending initiative of 2% Jatropha based Biodiesel is achieved in 2011-12, India will save around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will produce around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and help in reduction of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The government is taking steps to motivate the cultivation of Jatropha in India supplying free seeds, subsidized loans and other facilities. India needs to now strengthen its efforts to make the maximum usage of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides Jatropha, the opportunities for extracting biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil must also be explored. It will not just offer an answer to the obstacle of Global Warming however could decrease our dependence on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.
