Rajasthan becomes 1st Indian state to implement biofuel policy

Context:

  • Rajasthan has become the first Indian state to implement the national policy on biofuels unveiled by the centre in May this year. High-power Biofuel Authority approved this implementation.
  • Soon, the State Government will release Biofuel Rules for 2018.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BIOFUEL NATIONAL POLICY:

  • The State Government will be putting emphasis on increasing production of oilseeds
  • Further, the State Government is promoting research in the fields of alternative fuels and energy resources
  • Biodiesel plant with a capacity of eight tonnes per day has already been installed in the state
  • There would be further emphasis on biofuel advertisements by the state government to create awareness about the same

Women’s self-help groups (SHGs) will be created by the State Rural Livelihood Development Council to encourage the use of biofuels.

  • If would also help farmers to dispose off their surplus stock in an economic manner and would also reduce the country’s dependence on oil imports.
  • It encourages setting up of supply chain mechanism for biodiesel production from non-edible oilseeds, used cooking oil and short gestation crops.

WHAT IS BIODIESEL?

  • Biodiesel is an alternative fuel which can be used in place of fossil fuels
  • It is manufactured from vegetable oils, recycled grease, algae, and animal fat

USES OF BIODIESEL:

It can be used in diesel-powered cars, trucks, tractors, boats, shipping equipment, irrigation systems, mining equipment, electrical generators and all those applications where diesel is typically used.

SOME MORE FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BIODIESEL:
  • Biodiesel can be used in diesel engines with little or no modification
  • It is a renewable fuel
  • It can be produced locally
  • It is produced through a chemical process called transesterification, in which glycerine is separated from the fat or vegetable oil

The process of transesterification leaves behind two products — methyl esters and glycerine — which can be sold for the preparation of soaps and other products.

  • It is biodegradable
  • It is non-toxic
  • While burning, it emits 60 per cent less carbon dioxide
  • The energy that biodiesel produces is approximately 90 per cent of the energy produced by petroleum diesel
  • It is also used in non-engine applications such as to remove paint

Source:India Today

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