Real-time adaptive load frequency control in hybrid microgrids using crayfish optimization and balloon effect: A path toward diesel-free sustainable operation

The growing penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) in modern microgrid architectures has intensified the need for real-time, resilient, and self-adaptive load frequency control (LFC) systems—particularly under low-inertia conditions and highly intermittent generation. This paper proposes a novel real-time adaptive LFC framework for standalone PV–HFC hybrid microgrids, designed to operate with near-zero reliance on diesel backup. The proposed strategy integrates a disturbance-sensitive Balloon Effect (BE) identifier for online sensitivity estimation with the Crayfish Optimization Algorithm (CrOA) for continuous gain adaptation of a structurally simple integral controller. Extensive simulation experiments under severe operating scenarios—including sudden load disturbances, parametric uncertainty, and renewable source disconnection—demonstrate that the CrOA+BE controller significantly outperforms benchmark metaheuristics such as GTO, Jaya, and SCA. The framework is further validated through hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) implementation, ensuring practical readiness for real-time deployment. Remarkably, the system achieves up to 95% reduction in diesel consumption, leading to major savings in operating cost and CO 2 emissions. Overall, the proposed scheme represents a robust pathway toward intelligent, fossil-free, and economically viable frequency regulation for next-generation renewable microgrids. The proposed controller explicitly integrates Information Technology through intelligent computational algorithms that enhance real-time microgrid stability.