News Chemistry Power plants: Algae churn out hydrogen By Corinna Wu August 23, 2002 at 6:43 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Could the green scum that grows on the walls of a fish tank produce the fuel of the future? Some scientists think so. Hydrogen bubbles rise to the surface in a flask containing green algae. Melis They’ve found a way to coax green algae into producing significant amounts of hydrogen gas.