Jerry Hutton, who directs the alternative-energy and fuel-cell technology program at Hocking College, explained Monday how the college is using natural gas to provide electricity to one building and how it's using other alternative fuels on campus. Hocking College has a program in place to teach its students about working on fuel-cell technology in laboratories and alternative fuels.

Recently, the college installed its first operating fuel cell on campus, and the electricity from this piece of equipment is helping to power HC's security office.

Hutton said the college has nine natural gas wells on campus, and uses natural gas to heat the campus buildings. One of the wells is also providing natural gas for the operating fuel cell, which turns it into electricity for the security offices, Hutton said. The fuel cell provides about 25 percent of the electricity for the building, and also serves as a back-up energy source for police radios and communications equipment, according to Hutton. The fuel cell is constantly working, and has battery packs to protect against any surges, he said.

In addition, with the way the fuel cell works, the college can use it to heat up water that is sent to the hot-water heater in the campus police building, so the water heater doesn't have to work as much, Hutton said. This saves the college more electricity.

The fuel cell is also a teaching tool for the college, as students will be able to learn proper maintenance and operation skills on it, Hutton said. Hocking College currently has 17 students in the two-year, fuel-cell technology program. Jobs are in demand in this field, he noted.

Also in regard to alternative fuels, Hocking College has a vehicle that can use vegetable oil as a fuel, and is also planning for engines that run on ethanol, other alternative fuels and electricity, Hutton said. Students are studying these alternative fuels so they can work in these areas after they graduate.

HC has had its natural gas wells on campus for the past 20 years, and the wells provide natural gas for heating for nearly 40 percent of the campus, Hutton said. The college formerly had a program for students on well drilling, and Hutton said that the college may bring this program back because of an increased demand for natural gas wells in the country.