This paper proposes an improved hierarchical control strategy consists of a primary and a secondary layer for a three-phase 4-wire microgrid under unbalanced and nonlinear load conditions. The primary layer is comprised of a multi-loop control strategy to provide balanced output voltages, a harmonic compensator to reduce the total harmonic distortion (THD), and a droop-based scheme to achieve an accurate power sharing. At the secondary control layer, a reactive power compensator and a frequency restoration loop are designed to improve the accuracy of reactive power sharing and to restore the frequency deviation, respectively. Simulation studies and practical performance are carried out using the DIgSILENT Power Factory software and laboratory testing, to verify the effectiveness of the control strategy in both islanded and grid-connected mode. Zero reactive power sharing error and zero frequency steady-state error have given this control strategy an edge over the conventional control scheme. Furthermore, the proposed scheme presented outstanding voltage control performance, such as fast transient response and low voltage THD. The superiority of the proposed control strategy over the conventional filter-based control scheme is confirmed by the 2 line cycles decrease in the transient response. Additionally, the voltage THDs in islanded mode are reduced from above 5.1% to lower than 2.7% with the proposed control strategy under nonlinear load conditions. The current THD is also reduced from above 21% to lower than 2.4% in the connection point of the microgrid with the offered control scheme in the grid-connected mode.
Recently, the growing demand for a renewable and sustainable fuel alternative is contingent on fuel cell technologies. Even though it is regarded as an environmentally sustainable method of generating fuel for immediate concerns, it must be enhanced to make it extraordinarily affordable, and environmentally sustainable. Hydrogen (H2 ) synthesis by electrochemical water splitting (ECWS) is considered one of the foremost potential prospective methods for renewable energy output and H2 society implementation. Existing massive H2 output is mostly reliant on the steaming reformation of carbon fuels that yield CO2 together with H2 and is a finite resource. ECWS is a viable, efficient, and contamination-free method for H2 evolution. Consequently, developing reliable and cost-effective technology for ECWS was a top priority for scientists around the globe. Utilizing renewable technologies to decrease total fuel utilization is crucial for H2 evolution. Capturing and transforming the fuel from the ambient through various renewable solutions for water splitting (WS) could effectively reduce the need for additional electricity. ECWS is among the foremost potential prospective methods for renewable energy output and the achievement of a H2 -based economy. For the overall water splitting (OWS), several transition-metal-based polyfunctional metal catalysts for both cathode and anode have been synthesized. Furthermore, the essential to the widespread adoption of such technology is the development of reduced-price, super functional electrocatalysts to substitute those, depending on metals. Many metal-premised electrocatalysts for both the anode and cathode have been designed for the WS process. The attributes of H2 and oxygen (O2 ) dynamics interactions on the electrodes of water electrolysis cells and the fundamental techniques for evaluating the achievement of electrocatalysts are outlined in this paper. Special emphasis is paid to their fabrication, electrocatalytic performance, durability, and measures for enhancing their efficiency. In addition, prospective ideas on metal-based WS electrocatalysts based on existing problems are presented. It is anticipated that this review will offer a straight direction toward the engineering and construction of novel polyfunctional electrocatalysts encompassing superior efficiency in a suitable WS technique.