It’s not very big – about the size of a mini refrigerator – but it could change the way we power everything from cars to homes.

Sen. Carl Levin stopped at Flint’s Kettering University for an update on the school’s fuel cell program.

The success of the program could mean important future Mid-Michigan jobs.

TV5 toured the facility with the senator and witnessed a golf cart and utility vehicle being powered by fuel cells.

Those fuel cells provide electricity via chemical reaction. Kettering’s program is nearing the end of its third year and recently received a letter of congratulations from the Army regarding its achievements.

“We’ve got a lot of resources that are going to be coming into battery technology and fuel cell technology,” said Levin. “I think Kettering and other Michigan institutions are very well positioned to get more than our fair share.”

Levin also said the university’s work will be key to our nation’s future.

Monday Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a bill into law expanding the state's tax incentives.

The bill adds $220 million to help companies develop and manufacturer batteries used in hybrid and electric cars.

Lawmakers hope the incentives will help put the state in the forefront of battery production for the next generation of electric vehicles.