Optimizing cluster head selection for energy efficiency in wireless sensor networks: A hybrid algorithm combining grey wolf and enhanced sunflower optimization

Abstract In this letter, we introduce a novel cluster head selection algorithm namely mixed grey wolf and improved sunflower optimization algorithm (MGWISFO). This algorithm leverages both energy requirements and inter‐node distances to select cluster heads (CH). Within this algorithm, the Grey Wolf Optimizer facilitates exploration, offering a broader search, while the improved Sunflower Optimization focuses on exploitation, delivering a narrower search. This balance between exploration and exploitation leads to the identification of the optimal CH node, thereby enhancing network performance. To validate its effectiveness, the proposed algorithm is benchmarked against existing strategies such as particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), grey wolf optimization (GWO), and sunflower optimization (SFO) across various performance parameters including throughput, the number of live and dead nodes, and residual energy. Simulation results unequivocally establish the unparalleled performance of our proposed algorithm, surpassing the capabilities of existing algorithms.