Wind power has a significant cost advantage over nuclear power and has become competitive with coal—fired power plants in many places.With new technological advances and mass production, projected cost declines should make wind power one of the world''s cheapest ways to produce electricity.In the long run, electricity from large wind farms in remote areas might be used to make hydrogen gas from water during periods when there is less than peak demand for electricity.The hydrogen gas could then be fed into a storage system and used to generate electricity when additional or backup power is needed.
Wind power is most economical in areas with steady winds.In areas where the wind dies down, backup electricity from a utility company or from an energy storage system becomes necessary.Backup power could also be provided by linking wind farms with a solar cell, with conventional or pumped—storage hydropower, or with efficient natural—gas—burning turbines.Some drawbacks to wind farms include visual pollution and noise, although these can be overcome by improving their design and locating them in isolated areas.
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