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Advances In Passive Cooling
by Mat Santamouris, 2007 
‘Advances in Passive Cooling’ is a 350 page book edited by Mat Santamouris. It is a comprehensive update on passive cooling technology. Mat Santamouris is an Associate Professor of Energy Physics at University of Athens and a visiting faculty at the School of Architecture, Low Energy Unit at University of North London, UK. Authors who have contributed to the genesis of this book are F. Nicols, H. Akbari, Lawrence Berkeley, K. Voss, M. Kolokotroni, J. Pfafferott, E. Erell and Ben-Gurion. The book ‘Advances in Passive Cooling’ provides contemporary knowledge and techniques the critical position of this technology in the recent day and age. It can also be used as a help book to engineering and other professional students. Passive Cooling implies the abrogation of energy consuming components. It aims at lowering the rate of heat transfer into the building and removing unwanted heat from the building’s spatial format. This book’ is simple in its approach and also immaculately explains the technicalities of passive cooling which lays theoretical and practical foundation for technological development in harmony with ecological development in the realm of solar energy conservation and utilisation. The front cover of the book justifiably can be interpreted as a matrix of buildings, energy and solar technology for an ecologically sound environment. This book puts forth the strategy of living in comfort at low costs. ‘Advances in Passive Cooling’ presents contemporary and practical approach to cater for the energy demands. Passive is the best alternative to air conditioning. Passive cooling can be interpreted as another form of geo-technology. The book has different sections comfort, urbane microclimate, solar control, ventilation, evaporative and radiative cooling as well as ground cooling strategies. These strategies keep in mind the design and stylistic demands of the customers. The book deals with issues related to the progress on Passive Cooling, thermal conservation strategies with offer Comfort, Opportunities for energy conservation and improving air quality in urbane environments, solar control, ventilation for cooling purposes, ground cooling principals, evaporative cooling and radiation cooling. It constantly strives to create a state of equilibrium between commodification of comfort and comfort in sync with nature to counter global warming. The book traces the physics of comfort redefined. Imagine living in a world where one can utilise renewable forms of energy and reduce the maintenance cost of a building by substituting air conditioners by passive cooling strategies. The ever increasing use of air conditioners which emit harmful radiations, in all types of buildings is no exception to the global climatic threat. This book is a counter response to the climatic damage caused by air conditioners and passive cooling thus provides a safe and energy conservation strategy to bank upon by stakeholders who are undertaking this strategy. ‘Advances in Passive Cooling’ is regarded as the best of the solar energy conservation series to create sustainable buildings for a progressive urban environment.
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