Journal of Ocean Engineering and Marine Energy https://doi.org/10.1007/s40722-020-00164-w RESEARCH ARTICLE Ocean wave energy potential along the west coast of the Sumatra island, Indonesia A. M. Rizal 1 · N. S. Ningsih 1 Received: 23 December 2019 / Accepted: 22 April 2020 © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 Abstract The past few decades have seen considerable interest in exploration and research of ocean wave energy as a potential energy substitute for fossil-based fuel. In this study, a Wavewatch III spectrum wave model was driven to simulate significant wave height spanning for a period of 25 years, from 1991 to 2015 on the west coast of the island of Sumatra. The 25-year-average of wave energy shows some noticeable hot spots in certain areas that have a value of significant wave height up to 2.33 m and a wave energy 67.29 kW/m. These hotspot occurrences have a similar pattern as statistics collected for the seasonal characteristics that are associated with tropical monsoons with the average value of wave energy reaching its peak in an easterly monsoon season up to 98.21 kW/m, and the lowest average value occurring in the westerly monsoon season, lasting from December to February, with a prevalent value of 10 kW/m. Additional statistical parameters of possible wave energy site selections were considered, such as Coefficient of Variance, Monthly Variability Index, Optimum Hotspot Identifier, Wave Development Index, and accessibility to find the ideal location for wave energy converter deployment. These statistics give insight into potential prospective points for ocean-wave energy harvesting. Eight hotspots were finally selected based on the afore-mentioned statistical considerations and were further analyzed through wave energy characterization and obtained energy calculation through Pelamis, Archimedes Wave Swing, and Wave Dragon Wave Energy Converter power matrices. Finally, inter-annual variability and particular extreme events are discussed. Keywords Wave energy · Sumatra · Indian Ocean · Renewable energy · Numerical model · Wavewatch III 1 Introduction The energy crisis and ensuing environmental issues have spurred interest and discussion regarding the utilization of renewable energy sources as substitutes for fossil fuel-based energy. One alternative source of energy is the near-limitless potential of ocean waves, which are yet to be fully utilized. Ocean wave energy is considered a clean and renewable energy source that can be exploited with a low environmen- B N. S. Ningsih nining@fitb.itb.ac.id https://www.oceanography.fitb.itb.ac.id/member/nsn/ A. M. Rizal ardianrizalr@gmail.com https://www.oceanography.fitb.itb.ac.id/member/ardian- mahiru-rizal/ 1 Oceanography Research Group, Department of Oceanography, Bandung Institute of Technology, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, Lab-Tek XI Building 1st Floor, Jl. Ganesha 10, 40132 Bandung, West Java, Indonesia tal impact. In addition to being a source of green energy, a previous study has shown that employing ocean wave energy can play an important role in coastal protection in terms of decreasing strong coastal erosion from incoming high waves energy from the open ocean (Mendoza et al. 2014). Further- more, a prior study has shown that in theory, ocean waves store a tremendous amount of energy: more than 10 TW could be extracted from ocean waves to meet the world’s energy needs (Falnes and Løvseth 1991). Ocean waves are generated when winds cause the sea sur- face to undulate as energy is transferred to the water column. The difference between the crest and trough of the sea sur- face creates potential energy from work done by the water column against gravitational force. As the wave particles move, kinetic energy is generated, which will then propa- gate towards coastal areas without significant energy loss (Holthuijsen 2007). The utilization of ocean waves has sparked the interest of both scholars and the industrial sector for decades. One of the earliest patents for wave energy conversion was recorded 123