Laura Manz

At Viridity Energy, Laura Manz has a focus on the application of Viridity’s VPower software platform to optimize energy asset utilization, including distribution-level Virtual Power Plants with customer assets to bulk electric grid applications such as the Tres Amigas Superstation in Clovis, New Mexico. A recognized leader in transmission system design, integration and operations, she comes to Viridity Energy with experience from Texas, California and the Mid-Atlantic electricity systems where she has successfully launched nodal energy markets, published the first renewable integration transmission plan and was the executive-in-charge of policy for smart grid and demand response. She also served as an industry sector representative to NERC’s Board of Trustees.
Previously, Manz held the position of Director of Federal and CAISO Regulatory Affairs for SDG&E and Southern California Gas Companies, where she led regulatory policies and advocacy strategy with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). She spent over 20 years at Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), one of the largest combined electric and gas companies in the United States, where she played key roles in forming PJM Interconnection’s nodal wholesale markets and also New Jersey’s retail choice rules. Her experience includes power plant operations, power grid operations, transmission planning and interregional transmission coordination.