World Biofuel Day

It is observed on 10 August

• Aim : to spread awareness about unconventional sources of fuels that could work as an alternative to fossil fuels.
• The day also commemorates the successful operation of an engine on peanut oil by German engineer Sir Rudolf Diesel on August 9, 1893.

ABOUT BIO FUEL :

The fuel derived from the biomass of plants or animal wastes is known as biofuel. It is commonly produced from corn, sugarcane and animal waste like cow dung.

TWO MOST COMMON BIOFUELS :

• Ethanol: It is produced by fermentation of residues of crops like corn and sugarcane.
• Biodiesel: It is produced from used cooking oil, yellow grease or animal fats. During its production, cooking oil or fat is burned with alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, which produces Biodiesel.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND POLICIES ON BIOFUELS

• National Policy on Biofuel
• National Policy on Biofuel
• Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana