Paul Lau

Chief Grid Strategy & Operations Officer
SMUD


As Chief Grid Strategy & Operations Officer, Paul Lau is responsible for the operations of SMUD’s power markets, transmission and distribution grids, including the Balancing Authority of Northern California (BANC), the development of a holistic smart grid strategy and SMUD’s research & development programs. Departments under his direction include Energy Trading & Contracts, Grid Operations, Grid Planning, Energy Strategy, Research & Development, Distribution System Operations, and Resources & New Business Strategy. He is the executive sponsor for SMUD’s deployment of advanced metering infrastructure and smart grid initiatives. Lau has over 30 years of utility experience and is a registered professional electrical engineer in the State of California and received his bachelor’s degree in electrical power engineering from California State University, Sacramento. Lau is also an Executive Board Member & Commissioner of the Transmission Agency of Northern California and the Balancing Authority of Northern California.