Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) has been awarded $2.75m additional funding from the US Navy for a second stage under its existing contract to provide an autonomous PowerBuoy wave energy conversion system for the Navy's near-coast anti-terrorism and maritime surveillance program.

OPT has completed the first stage of a four-year $15m project for the Navy’s Littoral Expeditionary Autonomous PowerBuoy (LEAP) program.

During the first 12-month stage under the LEAP program, the company has completed delivery of the design and testing of a new power take-off system for its PowerBuoy.

In the second stage of the program, also to be performed over a one-year period, the company will build and ocean-test a LEAP system off the coast of New Jersey.

OPT’s sub-contractor, Rutgers University, contributed to the system’s radar network and communications infrastructure, while Mikros Systems provided the interface to the Navy’s tactical system.

The LEAP program is aimed at enhancing the Navy’s homeland security and force protection capability through the provision of continuous non-grid connected power at sea.