Energy plays an important role in the development of the country. The worlds energy consumption is estimated to be 3.36 x 1020 J per annum and is projected to increase to up to 6.3 x 1020 J in the year 2050. Due to this high demand, energy shortage poses specific risks on the transportation sector and some industries that are dependent on liquid fuels such as diesel. This considerable demand for petroleum also implies significant levels of air pollution. Continued use of petroleum sourced fuels is now widely recognized as unsustainable because of depleting supplies and the contribution of these fuels to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the environment. Renewable, carbon neutral, transport fuels are necessary for environmental and economic sustainability. Biodiesel derived from oil crops is a potential renewable and carbon neutral alternative to petroleum fuels. Using an alternative fuel is one of the options that could possibly solve these environmental problems. Different biofuels were already developed and used in many parts of the world and the most popular is the biodiesel, which is an alternative to petroleum diesel.

Extensive research and demonstration projects have shown that biodiesel can be used pure or in blends with conventional diesel fuel in unmodified diesel engines. Interest in biodiesel has been expanding recently due to government incentives and high petroleum prices. Biodiesel occupies a prominent position among the alternatives to conventional petrodiesel fuel owing to various technical and economic factors. It is obtained by reacting the parent vegetable oil or fat with an alcohol (transesterification) in the presence of a catalyst to give the corresponding monoalkyl esters, which are defined as biodiesel. Because of the nature of the starting material, the production process, and subsequent handling, various factors can influence biodiesel fuel quality. Biodiesel steadily gaining interest and significance in light of recent developments such as the upsurge in petroleum prices and the implementation of financial incentives for its use. With the increasing interest and use, the assurance of fuel properties and quality has become of paramount interest to the successful commercialization and market acceptance of biodiesel.

Our Honorable President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and many other scientists mentioned the necessary of biofuels for our country. Among the various sources of biofuels, biodiesel plays an important role because of the availability of feedstock, production steps and its safe to the environment. Biodiesel is a hot topic in todays research. This book highlights more about the biodiesel, its sources, production, various standards, fuel properties of biodiesel with ASTM standards, fuel policy and the environmental effect on biodiesel. This book will be useful for U.G, P.G. students and Research Scholars and provides the fundamental knowledge about energy, non-renewable and renewable energy.