Bio-diesel as a possible answer to the energy crisis by Aarti Narang

Bio-diesel as a possible answer to the energy crisis

Man has realized since the last five or six decades that our planet's bounty is getting exhausted slowly but steadily. There are a lot of issues than man has brought in through his greed and unrestrained population explosion. This in turn has raised a number of issues regarding the non-renewable energy and resources such as potable water, coal, minerals and so on.

Man has already destroyed a lot of his environment and as a result has thrown nature out of balance. The planet has lost entire species of animals resulting in major break down in food chain. Entire forests have been turned into dessert areas due to over-abuse of wood resources bringing in the green-house effect. Side by side man has increased pollution to such an extent that even the ozone layer which is thousands of meters up in the sky has been broken down allowing the sun rays create havoc on earth.

There is a lot of harm that has been created. Man is now trying to find ways and means to protect what has remained of the planet; he is trying to make amends. These amends are specially done by protecting animals, the green cover of the earth and by trying to find alternative energy so as to be ready for the time when the natural fuel will run out.

A wonderful alternative at the horizon

One of these alternatives which have hit big way is the bio-diesel. The name is self-explanatory, i.e. diesel made out of biological means or plants. As a matter of fact all the fuel that man consumes today is also made with the help of plants. But this fuel has been compressed in the earth for eons to become coal, or crude oil that we transform into petrol, diesel and kerosene. With these sources diminishing at an alarming rate, any alternative or hope for alternative is promoted with great enthusiasm.

While searching for the best means for the next generation fuel, the jatropha tree has been stumbled upon. The scientific name of this tree is Jatropha curcas. The seeds of this tree are not used for any particular purpose. But the oil that is extracted from this can be slightly mixed with diesel and presto! You get a perfect bio-diesel. This can be used to run any machine; it has no pollutant emissions; no residue and is totally safe on the machinery. The waste product that results after the oil is extracted is made into an extremely potent fertilizer.

There are a number of countries who have launched full research on this plant, such as India, Indonesia, Mexico, Malaysia, Tanzania to name a few. The good news is that this tree has very few demands from earth or water and hence, in normal circumstances of moderate conditions, one hectare can produce close to five tones of seeds from which some 1500-2000 liters of bio-diesel can be safely produced. If this experiment will really hit off, it could be the best substitute to the fossil-based-fuel of today. And as it will be used more to replace the latter, the undeveloped countries too will get a chance to boost their economy with this wonder crop.

The advantages of using bio-diesel

The best part of the bio-diesel is that it is renewable. You can make as much as you want and whenever you want. The second and the most critical aspect is that it creates no pollution absolutely, which is very vital in today's environmental set up. The amount of carbon dioxide that this seed produces is negligible, and hence it will negate the greenhouse effect that has been initiated by burning the fossil-based-fuels.

The USA and Europe has already accepted the fact that the shift from the fossil-based-fuel and are planning to introduce it in the market big time in the next 5-10 years. Reports say that the European Union has already targeted for 2010 the use of 15 billion liters which could be worth more than US $5 billion.

The jatropha tree can provide a good income for the developing countries all over the world, by opening this new avenue for income. For underdeveloped countries and marginalized people this could mean the discovery of a fortune. Every hectare could yield upto US $2000/- which can prove of immense financial relief, employment and industrial development besides the fact that it will provide a clean and renewable alternative to fossil-based-fuel.

The jatropha seed bio-diesel boon or bane

Jatropha trees can grow on any type of soil. The waste product that results from oil extraction can be used as fertilizer. Besides, this material also acts as pest repellant. Jatropha seeds need the least energy as compared to soy or sunflower producing the same amount of diesel.

India is emerging as the leading producer of jatropha seeds and as a result, the highest producer of oil. There are other countries which are looking into this development and are planning to cash on the emerging possibility both for alternative fuel as well as means for development of a new cash crop.

There are other reports which deny the importance of jatropha as an emerging source for the next generation fuel, because it involves too much cost to produce in the long run. However, the comparative reports with other type of seeds have shown jatropha leading on all accounts. It does not need any special conditions and it gives good results from any type of soil.

There are other experiments whereby ethanol is mixed with the regular fossil-based-fuel to reduce the dependency of the world on this depleted source. Other sources are rape seed, corn, sugar and so on. Ethanol is really the most accepted bio-diesel today. However, the jatropha seed is the best alternative till date. It remains to be seen whether this wonder bush can really solve the crisis of the diminishing fossil-based-fuel or will create more problems while promoting an agriculture based economy which might not deliver its promise.

It is true that it is time to move away from take-take-take attitude that man has had till the recent past; but is the jatropha seed the answer? Time will only tell.

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