Possibilities, Challenges, and Future Opportunities of Microgrids: A Review

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

It seems that the paper has undergone couple of rounds of reviews and has been extended modified greatly. I was not part of the previous rounds but I can see that the paper stands up to the quality of the journal. Microgrids may be very important and sustainable element of future power generation and distribution. This paper is important in the sense that it sheds light in this issue. It may be amended by emphasizing the relation to the global sustainability problem and show applications in other regions or countries. If the connections to the global problems are clearly made than the paper can be of use to the international researchers.

Author Response

Dear sir thank you for your precious comments we not only modified the structure of our paper but added a separate section 2.3 Global sustainability issues and microgrid development to address your concerns.

Reviewer 2 Report

This article summarizes various challenges associated with microgrids' implementation, government policies, technical aspects, limitations, and prospects in Pakistan. The topic of this paper is interesting to the readers, within the scope of the journal. However, prior its publication changes must be done. 

1.      The use of English must be improved. The paper includes several grammatical and syntax errors.

2.      The Section 4 (Technical aspects of MGs implementation) must be revised since the specific paper is a review paper and needs more references to be added and topics to cover. The first has to do with the great importance of microgrids in case of a major blackout, while the with the scalability and replicability of microgrids. Also, references must be added in energy storage through microgrids. Such references can be the following:

·         Vita, V. et al New Restoration Strategy in Microgrids after a Blackout with Priority in Critical Loads. Sustainability 2023, 15, 1974. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031974

·         Fotis G. et al. Scalability and Replicability for Smart Grid Innovation Projects and the Improvement of Renewable Energy Sources Exploitation: The FLEXITRANSTORE Case. Energies, Vol. 15, No. 13, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15134519

3.      In section 5 it would be great if you could add the load curve of a typical day in Pakistan analyzing the energy mix for each hour. What is the contribution of microgrids in this curve?

4.      In Figures 7, 9 and 10 add in the bottom text “in Pakistan” since they are referred to this country.

5.      To what year is Figure 10 referred to? Also, add the GWh not just the percentage inside this figure.

6.      A separate discussion section before conclusion must be added.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

This paper summarizes and reviews the existing technologies, challenges, and future directions of microgrids, and analyzes the technical policies, limitations, and prospects of microgrids in practice with the example of Pakistan.

In my opinion, this paper lacks innovation. The literature review only stays at the level of collation and summary, especially in 4. Technical aspects of MGs implementation, the list of existing technologies does not show the response of microgrids to existing challenges and lacks its own view and innovation.

Although some new technologies such as blockchain, AI, ML, etc. are mentioned in this paper, no analysis is made for specific applications and cases.

In the case study, part of the current situation of Pakistan's resources is too much, which affects the introduction of microgrids.

In summary, this paper has enough literature review on the current status of microgrid research, but it lacks in-depth research and innovation, I suggest drawing back the manuscript.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

This work presents a literature review of microgrids' implementation, government policies, technical aspects, limitations, and prospects. As a case study, a description of potential benefits, contras, and barriers to implementing microgrid generation to improve Pakistan's energy mix is presented. A comprehensive literature review is presented regarding the subject of interest. To improve the presentation and conclusions from sections 2 to 4, the authors should use a Table or a Knowledge map to compare all the documents and improve the conclusion obtained, allowing for a more solid justification of the work's purpose. However, the authors must present a deep and sustained discussion regarding the results in general, including conclusions and recommendations from the results obtained. It is expected from a revision of the literature that authors include a comparison, critique, and assessment of the studies they are reviewing or ideas for future experiments.

Other aspects need to be revised to improve the manuscript presentation:

·        The abstract need to be revised and include concluding remarks and results from the revised information.

·        Some abbreviations and acronyms are used without a previous definition. However, the authors are encouraged to define it in the text and/or include a nomenclature section.

·        A better connection of information in section 2.2 in the manuscript context must be included.

·        Figures 2 to 6 are not cited in the text. In section 5, those figures are mentioned; however, according to the context of the information, it refers to Figures 7 and 12.

·        Section 4.3 Microgrid energy storage has no references regarding the subject presented.

 

·        The case study aims to present microgrids as a potential alternative to improve Pakistan's electricity service. However, there is not too much information regarding economic or environmental aspects. Therefore, some discussion should be interesting, including examples or analyses that complement the discussion.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

I am satisfied with the revisions OK to publish. 

Reviewer 2 Report

The authors have revised the manuscript according to my suggestions. In my opinion the paper can be published in its current form.

Reviewer 3 Report

The author has addressed concerns in the previous round.

Reviewer 4 Report

The requested corrections were considered. As a result, the document is better adjusted and can be accepted.