Abstract: Firstly,the development history of power grid dispatching automation systems in China is reviewed.The architecture of smart grid dispatching and control systems is described.Then the main technical breakthroughs of smart grid dispatching and control systems are summarized,including improvement of the observability and controllability of ultra large power grids,the coordinated ability of control centers,the early warning ability of on-line dynamic security of ultra large power grids,the economic operation efficiency of ultra large power grids,the ability for power grids to accommodate new energy generation,and the ability of the control centers of power grids to withstand major natural calamities and group cyber-attacks.Finally,further research areas of smart grid dispatching and control systems are outlined.