Biodiesel in circular economy: A perspective study on recent trends and environmental challenges in sustainable energy production

The rapid population expansion and improved living standard that proceed with enhancement in the energy consumption are largely met by the fossil fuels. With finite reserves, increase in the percentage of global energy usage led to their over-exploitation, besides raising concerns over increased emissions of the greenhouse gases. The scarcity of the energy reserves has prompted search for a suitable and sustainable substitute that could outperform conventional fuels for availability, renewability and environmental impact. In search of an economically viable option, biodiesel emerged as a potential alternative with promising solution to productivity and effective performance. The current study was performed to assess feasibility and economic challenges in adopting the technology of biodiesel production. The paper reviews biodiesel production from different feedstocks with the use of chemical catalysts (both homogenous and heterogenous), and the ones of biological origin, such as lipases. It presents a detailed account of technological innovations, challenges of high production cost (associated with raw materials), low capital investment, and others, for adoption to improve biodiesel production, its efficacy, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. Remarked as a renewable and eco-friendly energy source, it includes information on policy design, process optimization, and scrutinize application of artificial intelligence in achieving automation in biodiesel production. Rigorous assessment of financial and market-based claims will inevitably accelerate its implementation and timely adoption at a global scale. It is perceived that selection and availing the best option for economic gains and environmental prosperity, will improve novel energy production systems to reap maximum benefits in the near future.