Virtual Power Plant Operational Strategies: Models, Markets, Optimization, Challenges, and Opportunities
, Ehsan Heydarian-Forushani 1,*, Saeed Hasanzadeh 1 and Seifeddine Ben Elghali 2,*
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
1. The research work lacks significant contributions especially the way it is written is more in a generalized context. Write the major contributions in more points and explain in a comprehensive manner. The main contributions and motivation of the research work should be explained in detail in sections like Abstract, Introduction and Conclusion. In Introduction section, the paper reviewed are repeating. Either merge them or cite in a chronological order.
2. References are cited in [3], [4] in 1st paragraph and later somewhere Ref. [3], Ref. [4], Ref. [6] and in 3rd para it is written as Reference [18] later, ref [93]. Uniformity in citation number is missing.
3. Avoid the beginning of sentence like the one mentioned in 2nd para. For example,
"[7] has investigated the use of uncertainty of PV and WT sources...".
5. In Figure 2, what is Losses Cost and pollutant gases Costs?
5. What is special effect?
"When the capacity of RES connected to the grid increases, the output power increases randomly, which will have a special effect on the safety, stability, and economic performance of the grid."
6. In Figure 4, Font size used is very less. Also, the figure lacks clarity.
7. In Table 4, Capitalize the last section for Ref. [89] "Real time market".
8. Minor grammatical errors were observed. Sentence reframing is suggested, wherever applicable. For example:
"Today, the use of VPPs requires coordinators between the different sources of these small-scale power plants." Coordination seems more suitable, in place of coordinators.
"Effective in responding to the load and checking RESs based on blockchain". Effectiveness seems more suitable instead the word used as effective.
9. Authors are advised to carry out proof reading of entire manuscript.
10. What is "FIT" service. Discuss more in detail. This term is also missing in Abbreviation section. Include the same.
11. In Section 6, the authors can include a brief discussion related to types of pricing strategies which can be utilized in a marketing infrastructure along with mentioning its advantages and disadvantages.
12. Include some more latest references related to this topic.
Author Response
The authors would like to sincerely appreciate the respected reviewer for his helpful comments. Please find attached our responses.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The authors presented a study on the operational strategies of virtual power plants. The study includes: models, markets, optimisation, challenges and opportunities.
The contributions are sufficient for the manuscript to be published in Sustainability, however, some comments are offered for improving this article.
The manuscript’s strengths.
1) The objective of the study is clear and matches the scope of the journal.
2) The manuscript is well organized and easy to read.
3) The authors have compared the current study with the available literatura.
4) An interesting aspect of this manuscript is the real-time operation assessment.
5) The system has been implemented.
The manuscript’s weaknesses.
1) More information on the practical application of the systems presented would be welcome.
Author Response
The authors would like to sincerely appreciate the respected reviewer for his helpful comments. Please find attached our responses.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The manuscript provides an interesting and detailed review on the topic.
The article is comprehensive and well-organized.
I recommend to accept it with the following minor addition.
1. Please discuss more about capacity of VPPs. If possible, mention the capacities of VPPs in Table 1.
Author Response
The authors would like to sincerely appreciate the respected reviewer for his helpful comments. Please find attached our responses.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
Authors have presented innovative research regarding virtual plant operations. It seems to be interesting for readers. However few concerns to improve the manuscript are mentioned below.
1] Abstract need improvement to mention about the contribution of the paper.
2] Introduction is nicely written. but add more recent literature.
3] section 2 heading is not justified, modification required.
4] Justification for table 1 . explain it .
5] Fig.3 is not justified . modification needed according to the content.
6] equation 6 and 7 needs more explanation.
7] section 7.4 is not satisfactory. Add justified explanation and add one diagram.
8] Conclusion is nicely written.
9] Line no. 458-461, is not understandable, modification required.
10] Section 7.2 is not required. If it is necessary kindly justify clearly.
Author Response
The authors would like to sincerely appreciate the respected reviewer for his helpful comments. Please find attached our responses.
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors presented models, markets, optimization, challenges and opportunities related to the operational strategies of virtual power plants. They addressed most of the reviewer's comments satisfactorily in the revised manuscript.
