SOUTHFIELD Michigans role in creating a hydrogen economy for tomorrows vehicles took another step Monday when DTE Energy broke ground on its Hydrogen Technology Park, a pilot project that will create hydrogen gas from tap water to power fuel cell generators and to refuel fuel cell vehicles.
DTE Energy was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as its partner to develop, build and operate the project. DOE will provide 49 percent of the funding for the $3 million, three-year project, which will result in a system capable of delivering about 100,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year – enough to power a small office building or about 20 homes – and enough compressed hydrogen gas to fuel three vehicles each day. The project will be at Detroit Edison’s Southfield Station on the northeast corner of 11 Mile and Inkster roads.
“Through our partnership with DOE, DTE Energy can continue its commitment to clean and renewable energy technologies,” said Anthony F. Earley Jr., DTE Energy chairman and CEO. “The Hydrogen Technology Park will be the first of its kind to model a complete, multi-use hydrogen energy system and promises to provide insight into the technical and economic challenges of commercializing hydrogen.
“The state and city of Southfield also have the opportunity to be at the center of new energy technology development and the associated job creation,” Earley said. “The Hydrogen Technology Park will be a showcase that draws visitors from around the world.”
DTE Energys largest operating units are Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, and MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan.
