The 2009 Power System conference was organized by Clemson University and held 10-13 March 2009.

The conference program included multiple tutorials, panel and paper sessions covering different topics of interest to the electric power systems protection, automation and control industry.

• The tutorial topics were:
• Innovation you can use today
• Introduction to generator protection
• On-line instability and PMU (Phasor Measurement Units)

Security concerns for protection engineers

The five panel sessions provided a forum for discussions of different topics related to Smart Grid concepts, technologies and applications:

• Our role in the Smart Grid evolution
• Smart Grid demonstration projects focused on large scale resource integration
• Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
• Planning for increased renewable energy portfolio
• AMI and the Smart Grid
• A total of twenty six technical papers were presented focused on:
• Synchrophasors functionality and applications
• IEC 61850 architecture and applications
• Line protection
• Generator and bus protection
• Distribution system protection and power quality
• The Smart Grid

The program each day started with opening remarks followed by a keynote speech. Keynote speeches were also delivered during the lunch and the conference banquet. The keynote speakers were industry executives from utilities and manufacturers. Like the rest of the conference program, they focused on different aspects of Smart Grid technology for the different levels of the system hierarchy, as well as on the impact of renewable energy.

During the coffee breaks the participants had the opportunity to discuss the products and software tools presented at the exhibition.