Ocean Power (OPT) has been awarded a second-stage contract by the US Navy to provide an autonomous PowerBuoy wave energy conversion system for the navy’s anti-terrorism and maritime surveillance programme.

Under the $2.75m one-year contract, OPT will build and ocean-test the US Navy’s littoral expeditionary autonomous PowerBuoy (LEAP) system off the coast of New Jersey.

OPT has successfully completed delivery of the design and testing of a new power take-off system for its autonomous PowerBuoy as part of the $15m first stage contract.

The system is expected to provide protection for critical infrastructure, drug traffic interdiction and detection of surface and subsurface maritime threats.

The LEAP programme aims to enhance the US Navy’s homeland security and force protection capability through the provision of continuous non-grid connected power at sea.