Abstract
Marine renewable energy (MRE) conversion devices and their respective infrastructure may affect or be affected by the integrity of the sediment bed, thus potentially impacting coastal sediment dynamics and associated ecosystems. It is therefore necessary to evaluate the interrelationships between hydrodynamics and seabed dynamics and the effects of MRE subsea foundations and cables on sediment transport. The movement of sediment in the coastal zone is dynamic and varies spatially and temporally. Given the complex nonlinear behavior of sediment transport, it is critical to begin any predictive study with a well validated model. This study critically evaluates and validates wave, current, and sediment transport models used to estimate risk of sediment mobilization and transport. Specific emphasis is placed upon an overall strategy for model validation of innovative techniques to quantify the risk of sediment mobility.