A Permissioned Blockchain-Based Energy Management System for Renewable Energy Microgrids

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The overall content of the paper is interesting, well-structured, and deals with a challenging topic. Also, it is written according to all academic standards. The paper's overall rating is good, but it needs some improvements to be considered for publication, according to the following:

1. The paper lacks a more precise statement of how the approach adopted differs from previous works and contributes to the literature. Is there a novel methodological framework, or at least some enhancements to an existing one? The authors should clarify those aspects.
2. The abstract needs improvement. The authors are encouraged to highlight the work's key findings and some comments on the adopted approach's applicability.
3. A nomenclature is encouraged to be provided for the mathematical formulation section.
4. An Acronyms section should also be added to facilitate the work’s readability.
5. The quality of some Figures (e.g., Figures 6, 7, and 9) needs to be substantially improved.
6. Is the provided framework a generic one? Could it be utilized in other case studies without significant modifications?

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Paper is interesting however few corrections should be made in the final version:

1. From the abstract, it seems to me that the objective of the paper is privacy-preserving trade.  However such contribution is not clearly justified in this paper. Please define the privacy problem and discuss how this hyperledger-based solution solves it? may in a separate section.
2. There are few peer to peer trade solution with hyperledger. Please cite them and mention why this contribution is better.
3. Smart contract has problems with low fee transactions. peer to peer trade transactions have often very low fee and miners may not pick these transactions. It will be good if you can explain the problems with smart contracts and how current solution is affected.
4. What is the total cost of running this blockchain-based solution? does this reduces cost of electricity?

Two problems:

1. There are hyperledger-based p2p trade papers. Why is contribution is better?
2. Privacy attack scenario should be  clearly defined and its mitigation should be clear as it is the main contribution.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The manuscript addresses concepts of interest in energy efficiency - blockchain for Renewable Energy Microgrid. 

The subject may attract interest to the readers. In general, this manuscript is well organized and written.

In the Introduction Section, please provide more general information on the importance of research in order to emphasize the state of the art also (first general information, then specific).

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Paper is revised properly.