The non-renewability, environmental concerns and health risks related to the fossil fuels has actually caused exploration of alternative sources of energy to replace the standard ones. An appealing technology, still in its infancy, that could reveal us the way to the future ahead is Biodiesels. Biodiesels are diesel fuels originated from grease or animal-fat that could be utilized to run diesel motors. 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 combined with petroleum diesel for use or might be used in its pure form.
Developed countries specifically United States and European Countries have currently made substantial advances in the Biodiesel Technology. Biodiesel have discovered its usage throughout markets and verticals and might become an ideal cleaner and less expensive option to petrol, diesel and nonrenewable fuel sources. India has also started exploring the opportunities to produce and utilize bio-diesel. A number of plants for biodiesel transesterification are currently operating in the nation 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 reality that biodiesels are sustainable and carbon-neutral, therefore having no net influence on the environment. Besides, bio-diesel runs in compression engines much like normal petroleum diesel and thus can be utilized with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel do not require any separate infrastructure for its storage and can be stored similar to the petroleum based fuels.
Considering the growing energy need in the nation, rising petroleum costs and the environmental risks of fossil fuels, the Indian Government has actually used up initiatives to establish the Bio Diesel Technology in India and established more oil processing systems. The Government announced its 'National Biofuel Policy' on 12 September 2008 which intends to meet 20% of India's diesel demand with bio-fuels in the coming years.
Globally, edible veggie 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 oil - a non-edible one produced from the seeds of the Jatropha jatropha curcas. The most significant benefit of using jatropha curcas as a basic material is that this plant can be grown in substantial quantities in wastelands all throughout India needing extremely little water in contrast to other money crops. Once grown, the plant has a useful life-span of numerous years. The jatropha curcas seeds consist of 40% oil and are thought about to be an excellent source of bio-diesel. The Government of India has actually identified 400,000 square kilometres of land suitable for the jatropha curcas growing in the country. India now
A study approximates that even if a blending initiative of 2% jatropha curcas based Biodiesel is achieved in 2011-12, India will save around Rs. 3000 crores. Besides, it will generate around Rs. 5500 crores in the rural economy and assistance in decrease of Green House Gas emission by 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) every year. The federal government is taking steps to encourage the cultivation of jatropha curcas in India offering complimentary seeds, subsidized loans and other centers. India requires to now reinforce its efforts to make the maximum use of the Biodiesel Technology. Besides jatropha curcas, the opportunities for drawing out biodiesel from veggie oils, fats, sunflower, rape seed oil and palm oil ought to also be explored. It will not just supply a response to the challenge of Global Warming but could decrease our reliance on foreign oil and contribute to our own economy.
