“I enjoy solving structural problems related to existing hydropower facilities and life extension.”
Chris Vella has over 25 years of hydropower-specific experience and specializes in dam safety and penstock inspections and hydro design projects including new power stations, new concrete gravity dams, rehabilitation of hydroelectric sites, fish passage designs, and detailed structural connections. Chris is recognized by the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as an approved Independent Consultant, meeting the requirements of the Commission’s Section 12.31(a) for conducting dam safety inspections. He has served as the Independent Consultant or assisted the Independent Consultant and facilitated or participated in the potential failure mode analyses (PFMA) for 39 FERC Part 12 inspections and PFMAs. He is also certified with the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) and has the experience to perform penstock and hydraulic structure inspections using industrial rope access techniques.
He is an active member of the Canadian Dam Association and the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. He has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Dalhousie University, a Diploma in Engineering from Nova Scotia Agricultural College and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Maine (US), Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador (CAN).