The electrical engineering major is one of five students working at the new DTE Energy Hydrogen Technology Park in Southfield.

The pilot project is designed to provide research and critical insight into the commercial viability of using hydrogen as a replacement fuel for automobiles, homes and businesses.

"From a global perspective, we need to always look for ways to improve," said Long, 28, of Commerce Township.

"If we can harness something like hydrogen, we could raise the standard of living for people everywhere because right now, natural resources like oil are limited.

"But if we can use sustainable technology to generate power in an efficient way for consumers, that would be amazing."

The $3 million Hydrogen Technology Park is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and DTE.

It's part of President Bush's 2003 Hydrogen Fuel Initiative to invest $1.7 billion over five years in ways to make the nation's energy system cleaner and more efficient.

The three-year project will use DaimlerChrysler AG vehicles for hydrogen refueling tests. BP, one of the world's largest energy companies, will aid with technology and Lawrence Tech will serve as an educational partner.

The facility is adjacent to DTE Energy's electrical substation, which uses solar panels to convert daylight into electricity. Dedicated in October 2004, it will be fully operational in about two months.

At the site, engineers plan to use a water electrolysis system to split Southfield tap water into hydrogen and oxygen.

The hydrogen gas can then be stored and used for plug powered fuel cells to generate electricity for homes and businesses and be routed to a vehicle refueling station for hydrogen powered cars, said Robert Fletcher.

Fletcher is an associate professor in the mechanical engineering department and director of the alternative energy program at Lawrence Tech..

"The technology park is capable of delivering about 100,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, which is enough to provide power to a small office complex or some 20 homes and about three vehicles a day," Fletcher said.

Mayor Brenda Lawrence said she's excited the city is associated with the project and has offered to have one of the fuel cell vehicles added to the Southfield fleet as part of a research trial.

" I was able to drive a hydrogen fueled car, and it was an amazing ride. I couldn't believe how smooth it was or the speed and power I was able to get.

"As a country, I think it's important that we start to embrace different methods of using fuel," the mayor said.

Resident Amanda Lewis agreed.

"While I haven't heard much about the project, I know we can't stay dependent on natural resources for fuel for fear that they will run out because of access.

"So it's nice to know that something like this that may have national implications is right in our own back yard," Lewis said.

As part of the hydrogen project, Lawrence Tech students under the supervision of DTE engineers are responsible for downloading performance data from the site and developing experiments to see how the system functions under various conditions.

For example, the technology park relies on solar and grid power, so students have to determine how to get the most power out of the system during Michigan's summer and winter months.

In addition, they will help with troubleshooting and look for inefficiency, Long said.

Peter Pintar, DTE director of energy technology investments, said the company wanted to be a part of the project because officials believe the energy system is going to change and technology is going to play a role.

"There is a lot of talk and hype about hydrogen going forward, and we think that, over time, it may be an important part of the energy system.

"So this technology park, in the interim, will give us time to learn how to work with it, how to build an integrated system like ours and what the technological and economical challenges may be," Pintar said.

"When you look around and notice the demand for energy going up in both the U.S. and globally, coupled with supply constraints of natural oil and gas declining while the price of imports are going up, you realize that a change is around the corner.

"At the same time, the demand for environmental standards is at a higher level. So we are positioning ourselves to participate in future prospects instead of sitting on the sidelines."

With the addition of the Hydrogen Technology Park, there are three refueling stations in Michigan.

The others are in Ann Arbor and Dearborn.

Right now, the price of hydrogen fuel is about three to 10 times higher than gasoline, since the method of generating hydrogen dictates how much it costs, Fletcher said.

"But over time, that should change and the difference between using regular gasoline versus hydrogen should be unnoticeable to the consumer, making them more open to receive it as a viable technology," he said.

Importance of a hydrogen tech park

Today, most of the nation's energy needs are met by a domestic supply of coal and substantial imports of petroleum and liquid natural gas. Building a hydrogen economy involves developing, testing and commercializing technologies that operate with the most abundant element in the universe -- pure hydrogen. The benefits include: