Biodiesel as a Prospective Fuel in Karnataka, India

Varsha Kishore; Harini P Aiyer; A. H. Manjunatha Reddy

Volume : II, Issue : IV, April - 2013

Biodiesel as a Prospective Fuel in Karnataka, India

Varsha Kishore, Harini P Aiyer, A. H. Manjunatha Reddy

Abstract :

India is the world�s fourth largest petroleum consumer and the vehicular pollution is estimated to have increased eight times over the last two decades. To combat declining global oil productive capacity combined with a growing oil demand, the carbon footprint from burning fossil fuels and to attain energy security in India, an obvious need for renewable and also less polluting alternatives such as ethanol, biomass, butanol and biodiesel have been felt that can aid in achieving the Indian target of 20% biofuel blending by 2017. In the year 2000, biodiesel became the only alternative fuel in the country to have successfully completed the EPA required Tier I and Tier II health effects testing under the Clean Air Act. It can be produced from vegetable oils, animal fats, and microbial oil. The most popular sources have been Jatropa and Pongamia seeds that can efficiently be grown on wastelands. Algae are emerging as a very promising source that helps contradict the biodiesel obtained from vegetable seeds through the �Food vs Fuel� conflict. The National Policy on biofuels approved on December 24, 2009 encompasses the National Bio–diesel Mission (NBM) identifying Jatrophacurcas as the most suitable tree–borne oilseed for bio–diesel production.