The 8th IET International Conference on Advances in Power System Control, Operation and Management (APSCOM) was organized by the Institute of Engineering and Technology, Hong Kong, Power & Energy Section and held 8-11 November 2009 in the Kowloon Shangri La Hotel, Hong Kong. The rich conference program was based on different forms of presentation and discussions of various subjects of interest to the electric power industry under the theme "Challenges and Solutions in Electricity Supply Industry for Tomorrow."

The conference committee built the program around over one hundred and thirty quality papers finally accepted for oral or poster presentation from the submitted more than four hundred abstracts. The opening session started with a Welcome Address by Prof. Wong, Chairman of APSCOM 2009, followed by the opening speeches from  Ms. Anissa Wong, Permanent Secretary for the Environment and Director of Environmental Protection, HKSAR Government and through video from Professor CM Snowden, President of the IET. The conference program included plenary, special, oral paper and poster sessions. The three plenary sessions covered topics related to distributed generation and its integration in the power grid, as well as different issues related to smart grids and dynamic security assessment.

The two special sessions focused on:

• The roles of distributed energy generation in the future smart grid
• Techniques, methods, practice and policy in distributed generation

Most of the submitted papers were presented in sixteen oral sessions covering a wide range of topics grouped in three main areas:

• Power System Management and Planning
• Power System Operation and Control
• Electric Power Market

Paper and special sessions were most of the time in parallel which allowed the presentation of more papers at the conference, but at the same time limited the possibility for conference attendees to get a better understanding of all ongoing activities in the electric power system. APSCOM 2009 provided a forum for professionals and specialists to share ideas, innovations and experiences to promote the reliable, efficient and sustainable development of the electricity supply industry.

The event provided a forum for sharing ideas and promoting innovations.