Looking for ways to create alternative energy and cut back on fossil fuels is a huge topic and several scientists are looking at an abundance of something in Yellowstone National Park as a possible solution.

Visitors flock to Yellowstone National Park for its breathtaking views and wildlife, but researchers are looking at it as more than just a vacation destination, they think enzymes in the park could turn it into an alternative energy source. "Our dependence on fossil fuels that's not going to be their forever so we need a source of energy where we control our own existence," said Montana State University's John Peters.

According to Montana State University's Thermal Biology Institute that source could be tiny enzymes living in the parks rich eco-system. John Peters says using hydrogen as an alternative energy is nothing new, but finding a cheap efficient way for it to be produced is. "Hydrogen today you can buy vehicles that'll utilize hydrogen, part of why that isn't more mainstream is it's expensive and so we need new ways to make hydrogen," said Peters.

One of Peters' associates says she's not surprised at where they're currently looking in Yellowstone for more sources of hydrogen. "Looking at the thermal environment and the thermalfiles the organisms that thrive in thermal environments. If you want to know about life you want to know about how they make a living," said Montana State University's Susan Kelly. Peters says there is no timetable for when the enzymes could be used to produce hydrogen, but in a thriving eco-system like Yellowstone the sky's the limit on how much can be produced.

John Peters says researching enzymes is one of many new ways scientists are looking for alternative energy and it was one of many topics discussed at a biothermal conference this past weekend at Yellowstone National Park.