Energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies are key enablers to manage the still increasing emission of green-house gases resulting in a global warming trend. Renewable sources, storage systems and flexible loads provide enhanced possibilities but power system operators have to cope with their fluctuating natures, limited storage capabilities and the typically higher complexity of the whole infrastructure with a large amount of components. Due to changing framework conditions and technology developments like the liberalization of the energy markets, changing regulatory rules as well as new grid components, the design and operation of the future electric energy system have to be restructured, too. Sophisticated component design methods, information and communication architectures, automation concepts, and control approaches are necessary in order to manage the higher complexity of such Smart Grids. In addition, advanced validation and test concepts have to be developed to support the upcoming large scale installation of new technologies and approaches. The main objective of this symposium is to bring the research and industry community together to discuss recent developments and approaches to support the roll out of Smart Grid solutions with a strong focus on replicability, scalability and system validation as well as to enjoy beautiful Vienna.