Wireless　sensor　networks　(WSNs)　are　mainly　characterized　by　their　limited　and　non-replenishable　energy　supply.　Hence,　the　energy　efficiency　of　the　infrastructure　greatly　affects　the　network　lifetime.　Clustering　is　one　of　the　methods　that　can　expand　the　lifespan　of　the　whole　network　by　grouping　the　sensor　nodes　according　to　some　criteria　and　choosing　the　appropriate　cluster　heads　(CHs).　The　balanced　load　of　the　CHs　has　an　important　effect　on　the　energy　consumption　balancing　and　lifespan　of　the　whole　network.　Therefore,　a　new　CHs　election　method　is　proposed　using　an　adaptive　discrete　particle　swarm　optimization　(ADPSO)　algorithm　with　a　fitness　value　function　considering　the　load　balancing　and　energy　consumption.　Simulation　results　not　only　demonstrate　that　the　proposed　algorithm　can　have　better　performance　in　load　balancing　than　low-energy　adaptive　clustering　hierarchy　(LEACH),　hybrid　energy-efficient　distributed　clustering　(HEED),　and　dynamic　clustering　algorithm　with　balanced　load　(DCBL),　but　also　imply　that　the　proposed　algorithm　can　extend　the　network　lifetime　more.　Copyright　©　2012　Editorial　Department　of　Journal　of　Donghua　University.