A novel desiccant wheel air conditioning system that uses high-temperature chilled water from natural cold source (DWACS + HCW) is proposed. The proposed system integrates the renewable regeneration heat source and natural cold source, which are beneficial for energy saving. A model of the proposed system was developed, and the main components and the overall model were experimentally validated. The performance and the effects of the important parameters of the system under high humidity (32 degrees C, 80% RH), moderate humidity (32 degrees C, 60% RH) and low humidity (32 degrees C, 40% RH) conditions was studied numerically. The results showed that the system could achieve the supply air to the required temperature and humidity ratio in high, moderate and low humidity conditions, and compared to conventional solar desiccant wheel air conditioning systems (SDWACS), the energy performance is more efficient mainly due to high cooling and dehumidification capacity of surface air-cooler with high temperature chilled water. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.