Dozens of Ideas in Ocean Wave Energy

I just reviewed another in a long series of attempts at ocean wave energy.  This one is similar to a Pelamis, but, because it requires less material it will be less expensive, thus offering a lower levelized cost of energy (LCOE). 

I wrote back: It’s hard for me to evaluate these claims re: LCOE.  I’m reminded of something a wise-cracking engineer at Black and Veatch told me a few years ago when I showed him one of my client’s ideas and told him how inexpensive it would be to build.  “We have a saying around here, Shields,” he retorted.  “It’s always cheap until you build it.”