Comprehensive Review of Edge Computing for Power Systems: State of the Art, Architecture, and Applications

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript presents a review of edge computing applications in power systems, addressing critical areas such as data transmission, microgrid management, and fault detection. In sum, revisions are required to address issues below.  

 

First, the language and technical exposition require substantial improvement. The text is marred by grammatical inconsistencies (e.g., EC offers significant advantages by optimizing data analysis, processing power, and storage locally, reducing latency, and alleviating network bandwidth constraints lacks parallel structure) and ambiguous phrasing (e.g., addressing real-time energy management constraints is vague). Passive voice overuse (has been systematically examined) and redundant terminology (enhance security, efficiency, and automation) weaken the narrative. A professional edit to enhance clarity, eliminate redundancy, and ensure technical precision is essential.  

 

Second, figures and tables suffer from poor resolution and inconsistent formatting. Figure 14 and Figure 15 are inadequately labeled, with unclear annotations and low visual fidelity. Table 7, summarizing EC applications, is disorganized, with misaligned columns and undefined abbreviations. All visuals must be redesigned to meet publication standards, with high-resolution graphics, descriptive captions, and explicit linkages to the text.  

 

Third, the literature review lacks currency and critical analysis. While foundational works are cited, recent advancements (post-2023) in EC for power systems-such as federated learning for privacy-preserving anomaly detection or transformer-based edge AI-are absent. Key references like [212] on fog-based SCADA security and [215] on differential privacy are outdated, and the survey overlooks emerging paradigms like digital twins for grid resilience. The Future Directions section (Section 6) fails to address cutting-edge trends such as quantum-resistant encryption or energy-harvesting edge devices.  

 

Fourth, structural and formatting inconsistencies undermine readability. Section headers (e.g., 4.5. Anomaly Detection) are inconsistently numbered, and page numbers (e.g., Page 23 of 40) disrupt the flow. The paper also lacks a coherent taxonomy of EC architectures, with vague distinctions between edge-server layer and device-edge layer in Section 6.  

 

Finally, the analysis of security and privacy solutions is superficial. While decentralized authentication and hybrid encryption are mentioned, there is no critical evaluation of their implementation challenges (e.g., computational overhead, compatibility with legacy systems). The discussion of blockchain integration (Section 6) is cursory, omitting case studies or scalability trade-offs.  

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English could be improved to more clearly express the research.

Author Response

Please see the attachment. 
The changes made to the Manuscript have been colored yellow.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript is interesting and reviews the role of edge computing in energy distribution systems. It focuses on its potential to optimize data processing, reduce latency, and improve system efficiency. The paper is essential to the field as it emphasises a wide range of applications enhancing system efficiency, real-time decision-making, and fault detection, especially in the face of the increasing complexity of modern grids. The paper appears to be clear and well-organized, which makes it easy to follow the different areas of edge computing applications in the energy sector.

However, the manuscript could be improved by addressing the following aspects:

• The authors should provide a detailed methodology of the review, highlighting the range of publications, steps and decisions made.
• Although the paper effectively highlights the promising advancements of integrating edge computing into the discussed applications, it would be beneficial to also include potential drawbacks and limitations in this area for a more balanced perspective.
• The paper made a general comparison of cloud, edge and fog computing. It would be beneficial if a more detailed comparison, especially concerning energy systems, could help explain why edge computing is so helpful.
• While the paper highlighted some future research directions, its contributions could be more visible if it discussed each direction topic by topic and provided suggestions on how to address them.
• The content is generally clear, but some long sentences exist. These sentences could be restructured for improved readability and flow to enhance the overall presentation.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

This manuscript is interesting and reviews the role of edge computing in energy distribution systems. It focuses on its potential to optimize data processing, reduce latency, and improve system efficiency. The paper is essential to the field as it emphasises a wide range of applications enhancing system efficiency, real-time decision-making, and fault detection, especially in the face of the increasing complexity of modern grids. The paper appears to be clear and well-organized, which makes it easy to follow the different areas of edge computing applications in the energy sector.

However, the manuscript could be improved by addressing the following aspects:

• The authors should provide a detailed methodology of the review, highlighting the range of publications, steps and decisions made.
• Although the paper effectively highlights the promising advancements of integrating edge computing into the discussed applications, it would be beneficial to also include potential drawbacks and limitations in this area for a more balanced perspective.
• The paper made a general comparison of cloud, edge and fog computing. It would be beneficial if a more detailed comparison, especially concerning energy systems, could help explain why edge computing is so helpful.
• While the paper highlighted some future research directions, its contributions could be more visible if it discussed each direction topic by topic and provided suggestions on how to address them.
• The content is generally clear, but some long sentences exist. These sentences could be restructured for improved readability and flow to enhance the overall presentation.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.
The changes made to the Manuscript have been colored yellow.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The abstract of the article needs greater clarity regarding the motivation and objective of the study. Currently, it does not explicitly state the problem being addressed or the significance of the research in that context. Additionally, it would be beneficial to summarize the main findings and contributions of the study so that readers can grasp its relevance from the outset. Including this information would enhance the comprehension and justification of the article from the very beginning.  

In the introduction, the problem statement lacks supporting references in its initial section, which may weaken the argument. The Internet of Things (IoT) is introduced in a very general manner, but the discussion does not progressively narrow toward the specific problem addressed in this study. This affects the logical flow and effectiveness of the introduction. The phrase "This production doubles every 40 months [2]" appears disconnected from the surrounding context and lacks a proper transition, making it confusing. In the second paragraph, references seem to be presented as a collection of concepts rather than as an integrated analysis of previous relevant work. It would be advisable to clearly explain the specific contribution of each reference within the discussion to ensure they are not perceived as merely background information. Additionally, the third paragraph contains the statement "closer to cloud infrastructure [9]," which does not accurately reflect the nature of fog computing. This concept is more related to bringing computational resources closer to edge devices rather than cloud infrastructure, so this should be revised for accuracy.  

The use of acronyms throughout the document requires better consistency. Some terms, such as Cisco IBSG and IEDs, appear without a clear definition when first introduced. Edge Computing (EC) is mentioned without prior introduction, and IoT is repeatedly defined unnecessarily. To improve clarity, it is recommended to define each acronym upon its first appearance and use it consistently throughout the text.  

The numbering of section 2.3, titled "Fog Computing," is incorrect as it appears as 2.2. This inconsistency in numbering could cause confusion regarding the document's structure and should be corrected to maintain logical coherence.  

Furthermore, it is advisable to avoid beginning a paragraph with a reference. Instead, authors should first introduce the idea and then incorporate the reference to support it. This approach improves readability and ensures that references serve as reinforcement rather than as abrupt starting points.  

Another important aspect to consider is the need for comparison with other review articles. The document lacks a clear discussion of how it contrasts with existing reviews in the field, which would help contextualize its novelty and relevance. Additionally, the expected real-world impact of this work is not explicitly stated. Clarifying how the findings will contribute to the advancement of research or practical applications would strengthen the study’s significance.  

Finally, reviewing the coherence between paragraphs could enhance the smoothness of idea progression. Some transitions could be improved to provide better continuity, and certain statements should be more precisely formulated to avoid ambiguity or lack of justification. Strengthening these aspects would significantly improve the clarity and impact of the article.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

When writing in English, it is important to ensure that references are presented meaningfully and contribute to the logical flow of the discussion. Instead of starting a sentence or paragraph with a reference, first introduce the concept or argument and then use the reference to support it. This approach enhances readability and ensures that the reference serves as reinforcement rather than being the primary focus.  

Continuity between paragraphs is essential to maintaining coherence. Each paragraph should logically connect to the previous one, either by expanding on a concept, providing additional evidence, or transitioning smoothly to a new but related topic. Abrupt shifts in ideas should be avoided, as they can disrupt the reader's understanding. To achieve this, consider using transition phrases such as "Furthermore," "In contrast," or "As a result," depending on the intended relationship between ideas.  

It is also crucial to maintain focus on the main idea within each paragraph. Sentences should contribute directly to the development of the argument without unnecessary digressions. If a paragraph covers multiple aspects, ensure that they are related and that the main idea remains clear throughout. Structuring paragraphs with a clear topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding thought helps maintain clarity and prevents ideas from becoming scattered.  

Regarding references, they should be relevant and critically analyzed rather than listed as mere background information. Each reference should add value to the discussion by explaining its significance in the context of the study. Additionally, when multiple references are used, it is advisable to compare and contrast them rather than simply stating their existence.  

Finally, precise and concise language is key to effective technical writing. Avoid redundant expressions and ambiguous statements, and ensure that terminology is used consistently. Defining acronyms the first time they appear and maintaining their uniform usage throughout the document improves clarity. By following these considerations, the overall readability, coherence, and impact of the writing can be significantly enhanced.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.
The changes made to the Manuscript have been colored yellow.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Accept in present form.