FUTURE RESEARCH ACTIONS IN PASSIVE COOLING

The PASCOOL program was the most important European project on passive cooling of buildings. The project addressed topics included solar control, the combined effect of ventilation and thermal mass, thermal comfort during summer and the potential of natural cooling techniques. PASCOOL put in evidence also the axes towards which future research on passive cooling should be oriented. This research, giving the continuously increasing trend of energy consumption for cooling purposes, is absolutely necessary in order to take advantage of the complete potential that passive cooling can offer to buildings while maintaining the living standards, health and comfort of the occupants. This paper presents these future issues that comprise (a) research on the microclimatic scale in order to address the impact of outdoor environment on the cooling load of buildings, (b) investigation of comfort requirements under transient conditions during summer, (c) research on natural ventilation in urban environments and the impac...