A method of controlling the operation of a bulk good grate cooler for cooling hot cement clinker, for example, in a process-controlled manner is provided in order to ensure that the volume flows of cooling air in all areas of the cooling grate and/or the residence time in the respective area of the bed of the goods to be cooled can be matched to the cooling requirements occurring in each area. A control intervention is carried out during the operation of the grate cooler with respect to the respective local cooling air volume flow and/or with respect to the respective local speed of conveyance of cooling grid according to the respective bulk good bed height measured per area and/or the bulk good bed temperature and/or the cooling air through-flow resistance such that if a modification occurs in one or several of the measured parameters, i.e., bed height, bed temperature and through-flow resistance, the respective local cooling air volume flow and/or the conveyance speed of the grate system is altered.