Lakkas, Thomas; (2008) Sustainable cooling techniques the state of art. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Passive design was considered significantly in architecture of early ages but after the industrial revolution it gave its place to the technologies like HVAC systems. However, in early decades with the depletion of fossil fuels, the increase of global temperatures and climate change there has been a great need of finding alternatives that are energy efficient. Sustainability is a term which is widely used nowadays, and is regarded as a state of indefiniteness, using natural sources that are never depleted. This paper aims to define sustainability in cooling buildings. A number of previous studies on the field of low energy cooling of buildings inspired this research with the following questions: What identifies the strategies for low-energy cooling Are current low-energy technologies, like HVAC systems, efficient enough to minimise energy consumption and C02 emissions In what ways can the design of a building affect its thermal performance and how is this related to the building services These questions are quite intriguing and can be answered by defining the sustainable cooling techniques, which are resumed in five main categories: reduction and modulation of heat gains, direct and indirect ventilative cooling, cooling energy from renewable energy sources, sustainable distribution systems and low-energy cooling technologies. Five 'state of the art' case study buildings are enough to prove their sustainability in cooling: School of Slavonic and East European Studies building (SSEES), Swiss Re Tower, Portcullis House, National Trust Headquarters Heelis and National Assembly for Wales (NAW). Several strategies were adopted by the designers these include ventilation, cooling and daylight. Other issues related to the cooling of buildings are facade design, energy consumption, occupant survey and thermal modelling and were also discussed. In each case study sustainable cooling techniques were sought. Findings and results from the five buildings have shown that designers carefully considered different issues regarding sustainable cooling. The selection of sustainable cooling techniques for a building looks easy at a first sight. However, an evaluation of the actual performance of the building is quite difficult unless there is efficient information and data. Additionally, detailed analysis based on cooling loads is important in order to define the appropriate cooling techniques this analysis is beyond the limits of this project.

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