IEEE ISGT will feature plenary sessions, panel sessions, technical papers, and tutorials by experts on grid modernization and smart grid applications and system integration. The theme for this year is "Innovative Trends in Grid Modernization" and will include an emphasis on how to economically and reliably integrate Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in system operation, the needs for and trends in advancements of grid management technologies and systems, the seams between distribution and bulk power system operations, and approaches for planning, operations, and cross cutting disciplines to address end-to-end operational coordination and control issues, including practical application."