Residential air conditioning (RAC) loads have great potential to be included in demand response (DR) programs. This paper studies large-scale RAC loads participating in DR programs

such as modeling

parameters identification

DR characteristics and control strategies. First

an aggregate model of large-scale RAC loads are established based on the buildings' performance with heat storage and insulation

avoiding the calculation of a single RAC model. Then

parameters of the aggregate model are identified based on the RACs' power and outdoor temperatures. Based on the aggregate model

DR characteristics of RAC loads are analyzed

including the dynamic relationship between power

outdoor and indoor temperature

and the potential of DR combined with the users' comfort. Next

the DR control strategies adapted for large-scale RAC loads are established by adjusting the temperature set-points. The DR strategies consider users' comfort and calculate the control signals of each RAC load according to the DR power

including adjustment temperature and adjustment time

which are sent to each RAC load for execution. In the DR process

the control center does not need to obtain the users' indoor temperature

which is conducive to protecting the users' privacy. DR strategies of RAC loads when the control degree within/beyond the DR potential are both proposed

and a load recovery control strategy is also introduced. Finally

the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed model and DR control strategies are verified by simulation results.