Such units are expected to go on sale in 2001. Fuel cells use natural gas and other hydrogen-based fuels to produce electricity.
Some experts see fuel cells as the power source of the future because they are nonpolluting.
Water is the byproduct, not noxious fumes. Many analysts say DTE, a company known for making conservative investments, has placed itself on the cutting edge of the energy business with Plug Power. Utilities are still burning coal and gas and crude oil, the same old fossil fuels. If successful, fuel cells could someday take customers from Detroit Edison, DTE's single-biggest moneymaker. It's a smart play.