GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4)- Some day your car might be running on pond scum. Algae is poised to be the next renewable energy source.

Scientists at the Colorado School of Mines showed off their algae growing systems this week.

It is one way researchers are determining how to get the most out of algae adaptability and energy producing properties.

“They grow rapidly and they can accumulate oil. And so we can pull that oil out and make biofuels from that. They can grow in lots of different places and more importantly in places where you can’t grow regular crops,” said CSU Professor Ken Reardon.

While the algae as a fuel industry is just getting started, the Department of Defense has already started using oil from the plants to power jets and ships.