In a groundbreaking collaboration between biologists from the University of Queensland in Australia and Bielefeld University in Germany, researchers have successfully developed a type of transgenic green algae that can produce large quantities of hydrogen. This innovation opens up a new biological pathway for sustainable hydrogen energy production, offering a promising alternative to traditional methods.
For years, scientists have known that green algae possess a natural ability to produce hydrogen through photosynthesis when exposed to sunlight. However, the efficiency of this process has been low—wild algae typically generate only about 100 milliliters of hydrogen per liter. The genetically modified algae created by the German and Australian team, however, can produce up to 750 milliliters per liter, significantly improving the yield.
Currently, wild green algae convert light into hydrogen at a rate of approximately 0.1%, while the artificial version reaches 2% to 2.4%. Scientists are aiming to push this conversion rate even higher—targeting 7% to 10%—which would make the technology economically viable. Researchers believe this goal is achievable within the next five to eight years, marking a major step forward in renewable energy research.
To achieve this, German and Australian scientists tested over 20,000 algae samples and selected the most promising ones. They eventually cultivated a transgenic strain of *Chlorella* called Stm6, which shows exceptional hydrogen-producing capabilities. Meanwhile, at Ruhr University in Germany, researchers have also developed a bio-cell—a micro-bioreactor that uses *Chlorella* to generate green hydrogen at a rate of 5,000 molecules per second.
Professor Thomas Haber from Ruhr University's Department of Biochemistry emphasized the potential of using biological enzymes for hydrogen production. While he called the technology "interesting," he also noted that it will take time before it becomes commercially viable. Despite the challenges, the progress made so far represents a significant leap toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
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