This book offers a comprehensive exploration of Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs), equipping readers with the knowledge and tools to design, construct, and retrofit buildings that meet the highest standards of energy efficiency and sustainability. It provides a holistic understanding of the principles, technologies, and materials that are shaping the future of the built environment. As the building sector accounts for a significant share of global energy use and emissions, ZEBs represent a potential solution for achieving climate goals and promoting sustainable development. Therefore, the book addresses one of the most important global challenges, which is reduction of energy consumption and carbon footprint
The book starts with the discussion of global energy challenges and the role of the building sector in addressing these challenges. Fundamental and core principles of ZEBs, tracing their evolution and highlighting current trends are discussed by giving the readers insight into site and building design strategies that optimize energy use and environmental performance. The core focus of the book is on cutting-edge technologies and materials, including high-performance insulation, advanced glazing, phase change materials (PCMs), energy storage systems and emerging automation systems. It is discussed how these components contribute to ZEB efficiency and interact with renewable energy technology with the support of intelligent building automation systems. In addition, the book addresses practical approaches in retrofitting existing buildings to meet near-zero energy standards and provides insights into the tools and resources for ZEB development.
This book is an essential resource for researchers, architects, engineers, energy consultants, sustainability experts, urban planners, and policy makers involved in sustainable construction, green building certification, and energy policy development.
This book provides a comprehensive exploration of the advancement of Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs) as a key strategy for achieving sustainable development and global energy goals. It delivers actionable insights into performance metrics, smart management systems, policy frameworks, and global innovations that drive the transition to renewable energy.
This book highlights the growing need for energy-efficient buildings and net-zero strategies, In light of current environmental challenges. ZEBs have become essential tools for reducing operational energy use while enhancing occupant comfort and overall building performance. This book begins by examining the strategic role of ZEBs in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and national climate commitments. It then explores the evolution of energy codes and standards, offering a comparative perspective across regions and jurisdictions.
Readers are introduced to advancements in energy-efficient building strategies, including passive design, smart materials, and renewable integration. A key focus is the integration of Building Management Systems (BMS), which serve as critical enablers for ZEBs by providing real-time monitoring, adaptive control, and enhanced energy optimization. These systems enable performance transparency, predictive maintenance, and user-centered design.
Additionally, this book presents case studies of ZEB projects from around the world, showcasing technical achievements and the significance of supportive governance and financing models. Importantly, the discussion extends beyond individual buildings to Zero Energy Communities (ZECs), recognizing the potential for integrated systems across neighborhoods and urban developments. This broader perspective aligns ZEB efforts with district energy planning, smart grid deployment, and community engagement, positioning ZEBs within a larger ecosystem of sustainable urban infrastructure.
Concluding with a forward-looking perspective, the book identifies emerging trends and challenges in the global ZEB movement, including digitalization, life-cycle assessment, and resilience to climate extremes.
The optimal number of working hours in the labor-intensive industry is important to identify the best productivity rate and decrease errors. This research examines the impact of the working hours on the error rate and productivity for three shifts and variability among the shifts in a surface protection manufacturing process. The measurement was taken from the real process and data were analyzed using statistical tools. A strong correlation was found among three-shift productivities. The results showed that there is a slight increase in productivity after the lunch break for all three shifts. A significant difference in productivity has been observed between the first hour and the rest of the day for each shift. The best productivity yield was observed between the 2nd and 7th hour, indicating that longer working hours are less productive and the error rate is increasing. The error rate has a strong positive correlation in the first shift, moderate in the second shift, and weak in the third shift.
This study presents an in-depth analysis of productivity and error rates in a textile manufacturing company in Egypt. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset that includes productivity rates, rework, and waste, the study employs Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test to examine hourly variations in production output and error rates. The analysis showed significant differences in production and error rates exist, particularly with the first hour being significantly different from subsequent hours. Post hoc analysis identifies that the highest production occurs after the lunch break, suggesting a positive impact of breaks on productivity. The study also highlights significant variations in error rates, emphasizing the importance of understanding these fluctuations for improving manufacturing performance. Overall, this research underscores the value of detailed hourly analysis in optimizing production efficiency and minimizing errors.
This study investigates the effectiveness of utilizing Phase Change Material (PCM) for cooling electronic devices, particularly a phone charger. A series of experiments were conducted in a laboratory environment to compare conventional air-cooled methods with PCM-cooled methods. Temperature histories of the environment, the box containing the electronics, and the surface of the charger using a LabQuest 2 data logger were recorded for electronics cooling, both with and without PCM under the same environmental conditions. To determine the significance of temperature differences between air-cooled and PCM-cooled electronics, the recorded data were statistically analyzed using a t-test. It was observed that PCM-cooled setups achieved significantly lower average temperatures compared to traditional air-cooled electronics. Particularly, immersing the charger in RT27 PCM led to a temperature reduction of 3.5 ℃, which is significantly lower compared to the conventionally air-cooled electronics. These findings highlight the potential of PCM for enhancing electronics cooling efficiency and suggest further exploration regarding the integration of PCM into electronics.
The aim of this research was the development of an energy-efficient composite material based on straw and phase change material (PCM). Straw-based composites are good thermal insulators but do not have the ability to store energy. PCMs are proven in energy storage and temperature regulation and have the ability to store and release significant thermal energy during phase transitions. The research was experimental in which four groups of samples were prepared, with different compositions of binders and incorporation of PCM. The samples were tested using the hot-guarded plate method and thermal conductivities were determined. The results showed that straw-based composites with PCM are promising and can lead to sustainable construction solutions, offering improved thermal performance. Statistical analysis confirmed that the addition of PCM to the straw-based composite insignificantly changed the thermal conductivity but improved the heat storage capacity of the composite.
, “Phase Change Material Applications in Construction and Building Materials”, in Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Management and Storage, Taylor and Francis, 2024.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11665-024-09570-9
Residual stress is responsible for various engineering failures in cases where the magnitude of residual stress exceeds the ultimate strength. With the aim of minimizing the residual stress induced in the machining of AISI 1045 steel, different machining parameters (speed, feed, depth of cut) and the output variables were experimentally investigated in this research. Series of specimens were produced using different machining parameters, and the residual stress in each was measured. When a material is subjected to external forces or thermal treatments, residual stresses can be introduced due to changes in the lattice spacing of the material. These changes in lattice spacing are detected using a non-destructive method based on the x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The equipment used is iXRD with MGR40P- Stress measurement system, PROTO CANADA make. The PROTO XRDWIN 2.0 software was an integral part of the XRD machine, which records all the necessary data, calculations and provides the user with surface residual stresses values. Data analysis and the process parameters were optimized using Taguchi L9 orthogonal design of experiments. To determine the effects of the machining parameters on residual stress, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used. The results indicate that the feed rate is only statistically significant parameter on the residual stress with the largest main effect. The optimal setup of machining parameters that cause the lowest residual stress of − 145.4 MPa was identified, with a speed of 710 m/min, a feed of 80 mm/min, and a DOC of 0.2 mm.
, “Phase change materials applications in buildings”, in Hafiz Muhammad Ali (Ed.), Phase Change Materials for Heat Transfer, 1st ed., Elsevier, 2023.
Phase change materials applications in buildings – ScienceDirect
, “Building energy demand management strategies and methods”, in Zhenjun Ma, Müslüm Arıcı, Amin Shahsavar (Eds.), Building Energy Flexibility and Demand Management, 1st ed., Elsevier, 2023, pp. 63-86.
Proceedings of the CIT 2021 Volume 2
, “Human capital and youth emigration in the “new normal””, Thunderbird International Business Review, 2021.
G. Yildiz, B. Duraković, and A. Abd Almisreb, “Performances Study of Natural and Conventional Building Insulation Materials,” Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng. Inf. Technol., vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 1395–1404, Aug. 2021, doi: 10.18517/IJASEIT.11.4.11139.
, “Modelling the effect of feed rate on residual stresses induced due to milling using experimental and numerical methods”, Periodicals of Engineering and Natural Sciences, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 76-81, 2021.
, “Perspectives and competitiveness of Bosnian industry: Competitiveness enhancement through innovative solutions”, Periodicals of Engineering and Natural Sciences, vol. 9, no. 2, 2021.
PCM Enhanced Building Envelopes presents the latest research in the field of thermal energy storage technologies that can be applied to solar heating and cooling with the aim of shifting and reducing building energy demand. It discusses both practical and technical issues, as well as the advantages of using common phase change materials (PCMs) in buildings as a more efficient, novel solution for passive solar heating/cooling strategies.
The book includes qualitative and quantitative descriptions of the science, technology and practices of PCM-based building envelopes, and reflects recent trends by placing emphasis on energy storage solutions within building walls, floors, ceilings, façades, windows, and shading devices. With the aim of assessing buildings’ energy performance, the book provides advanced modeling and simulation tools as a theoretical basis for the analysis of PCM-based building envelopes in terms of heat storage and transfer.
This book will be of interest to all those dealing with building energy analysis such as researchers, academics, students and professionals in the fields of mechanical and civil engineering and architectural design
The papers in this book are organized according to the following topics: technology trends; computing; intelligent systems; machine vision; security; communication; electronics; e-learning; e-government; e-participation.
Springer Nature Switzerland AG, Cham, 2020, ISBN 978-3-030-38335-0. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-38335-0
Springer Nature Switzerland AG, Cham, 2020, ISBN 978-3-030-38335-0. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-38335-0
The papers in this book are organized according to the following topics: technology trends; computing; intelligent systems; machine vision; security; communication; electronics; e-learning; e-government; e-participation.
Springer Nature Switzerland AG, Cham, 2020, ISBN 978-3-030-38335-0. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-38335-0
The papers in this book are organized according to the following topics: technology trends; computing; intelligent systems; machine vision; security; communication; electronics; e-learning; e-government; e-participation.
Historical overview of PCM application in building, state of the art in building structure, components and modules.
This chapter shows that PCM-based glazing is effective in reducing interior temperature variance, but due to reduced transparency in solid state, it is suitable for buildings with reduced demand for light.
To describe physical processes and predict performances of passive buildings, various mathematical models have been developed based on numerical and experimental studies.
I was observed that PCM-based technologies have the potential to reduce building energy demand, but there are still some issues that have to be addressed related to the development of more efficient PCMs, design solutions, and manufacturing process cost reducing.
Comparative performance evaluation of conventional and renewable thermal insulation materials used in building envelops
Tehnicki vjesnik – Technical Gazette, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 283-289, 2020, ISSN: 1330-3651.
Benjamin Durakovic, Yıldız, G., and Yahia, M. E
Impact of quality and innovation strategies on business performance of Bosnian B2B and B2C companies
Sustainable Engineering and Innovation, 1 (1), 24-42, 2019.
Benjamin Durakovic, Amar Cosic
Deep Transfer Learning for Human Identification Based on Footprint: A Comparative Study
Periodicals of Engineering and Natural Sciences, 7 (3), pp. 1300-1307, 2019, ISSN: 2303-4521.
Journal PaperMabroukah M. A. Abuqadumah, Musab A. M. Ali, Ali Abd Almisreb, Benjamin Durakovic
Thermal Performances of Glazed Energy Storage Systems with Various Storage Materials: An Experimental study
Sustainable Cities and Society, Vol. 45, pp 422-430 (2019), ISSN: 2210-6707.
Benjamin Durakovic, Selma Mesetovic
Does Transformational Leadership Matters in Gazelles and Mice: Evidence from Bosnia and Herzegovina?
International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 289-308, 2018, ISSN: 1476-1297. DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2018.092744
Ramo Palalic, Benjamin Durakovic
Design of Experiments Application, Concepts, Examples: State of the Art
Periodical of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 421-439 (2017), ISSN: 2303-4521.
Benjamin Durakovic
Students’ Entrepreneurial Orientation Intention, Business Environment, and Networking: Insights from Bosnia and Herzegovina
International Journal of Foresight and Innovation Policy, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 240-255 (2016), ISSN: 1740-2816.
Ramo Palalic, Benjamin Durakovic, Azra Brankovic, Ognjen Ridic
Simulation and experimental validation of phase change material and water used as heat storage medium in window applications
J. of Mater. and Environ. Sci., Vol. 8, No. 5, (2017), ISSN: 2028-2508, pp 1837-1846.
Benjamin Durakovic, Muris Torlak
Experimental and numerical study of a PCM window model as a thermal energy storage unit
International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies 2016; Vol. 12, No. 3, (2017), pp 272–280.
Benjamin Durakovic, Muris Torlak
Continuous Quality Improvement in Textile Processing by Statistical Process Control Tools: A Case Study of Medium-Sized Company
Periodicals of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Vol. 1 No. 1(2013), ISSN 2303-4521, pp 36‒46.
Benjamin Durakovic, Hazim Basic
The relationship among working hours per shift, worker productivity and errors in locksmith work
International Conference on Mechanical Engineering-2020 (ICME-20), pp. 483-490. January 29-31, 2020, Lahore, Pakistan
Benjamin Durakovic, Tauseef Aized Khan, Ramo Palalić
Application of phase change materials in glazing and shading systems: Issues, trends and developments
3rd International Engineering Research Symposium INERS’19, vol. 3, no. 1. pp. 688-699, 2019
Benjamin Durakovic
CFD-based Assessment of Thermal Energy Storage in Phase-Change Materials – (PCM)
International Energy Technologies Conference Proceedings 2014- ENTECH’2014, Istanbul, Turkey, December 22 – 24, 2014. ISBN: 978-605-5120-98-6, pp263-275.
Muris Torlak, Nijaz Delalić, Benjamin Durakovic, Haris Gavranović
Implementation of Lean Practices in a Higher Education Institution’s Student Affairs Office: A Case Study from a Bosnian University
International Journal on Advanced Science, Engineering and Information Technology, vol. 10, pp. 567–577, 2020.
Journal PaperAmina Krdžalić, Amina Brgulja, Benjamin Durakovic
The Interrelationships Between Quality Management Practices And Their Effects On Innovation Performance
18th International Research/Expert Conference ”Trends in the Development of Machinery and Associated Technology”, TMT 2014. Proceedings. Budapest, Hungary, September 10-12, 2014. ISSN 1840-4944, pp181-184.
Benjamin Durakovic, Hazim Basic, Haris Muhic
Science-Technology Park Ilidža as a Generator of Innovation Potential and SME’s Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Proceedings of European Conference of Technology and Society – EuroTecS 2013, Vol. 1, No. 1, June 27 – 28, 2013, ISSN 2303-4580, pp 59-64.
Darko Petković, Hazim Bašić Benjamin Durakovic, Sanja Prodanović
Mogućnosti optimizacije procesa rezanja tekstila primjenom šest sigma metodologije u kompaniji srednje veličine
Međunarodna konferencija održavanje i proizvodni inženjering – KODIP 2013, Budva, 16-19 juni 2013. ISBN 978-9940-527-33-4, pp. 109-114
Darko Petković, Hazim Bašić Benjamin Durakovic
Textile Cutting Process Optimization Model Based On Six Sigma Methodology in A Medium-Sized Company
16th International Research/Expert Conference ”Trends in the Development of Machinery and Associated Technology”, TMT 2012, Dubai, UAE, September 10-12, 2012. Proceedings ISSN 1840-4944, pp 276-278.
Benjamin Durakovic, Hazim Bašić
Six Sigma Model Testing In Optimizing Medium-Sized Company Production Process
16th International Research/Expert Conference ”Trends in the Development of Machinery and Associated Technology” TMT 2012, Dubai, UAE, September 10-12, 2012. Proceedings ISSN 1840-4944, pp 271-274.
Hazim Bašić, Benjamin Durakovic, Almira Softić
Indoor temperature control using windows with thermal energy storage : in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor Philosophy (PhD) in Industrial Engineering
Author
Benjamin Duraković
Other authors
Fuat Gurcan and Muris Torlak
Dr. Durakovic delivered keynote speech at The Seventh Regional Conference on Soft Computing 2018 on May 18, 2018; titled “Additive Manufacturing Innovations, Trends and Challenges”.
Benjamin Durakovic, ”Emerging Issues, Trends and Challenges for Sustainable Engineering”, The Sixth Regional Conference on Soft Computing, Sarajevo, Bosnia, June 30, 2017.
Dr. Durakovic delivered keynote speech at The Sixth Regional Conference on Soft Computing 2017 on June 30, 2017; titled “Emerging Issues, Trends and Challenges for Sustainable Engineering”.


Dr. Durakovic was invited by the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia to speak on a panel “Innovation, technology and economy“, which was a part of a conference “Media and Economy” organized by The Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia, University of Mostar and Večernji list. The panel session was held on May 22, 2019. in Mostar within the 18th edition of the Večernjak Seal manifestation. The aim of the panel was to merge theoretical knowledge and practice and to emphasize the importance of innovations for survival in the market.
Dr. Durakovic emphasized the importance of innovations as key success factors for local business in upcoming period. Since we have become part of the global marketplace and that global companies compete for our engineers, the local business with the existing business model is not competitive at all in the sense of attracting new and retaining existing experts. He concluded that innovations are opportunity for the domestic market to become more attractive to local experts. Innovations create significant added value that provide competitive benefits to employees, which create better social standards. Therefore, domestic business has to start offering knowledge intensive solution (not labor intensive) ASAP, has to stop be part of someone’s else solution, otherwise they will not have bright future.
Dr Duraković je pozvan od strane Vanjskotrgovinske komore Bosne da govori na panelu “Inovacije, tehnologija i gospodarstvo“, u okviru konferencije “Mediji i gospodarstvo” u organizaciji Vanjskotrgovinske komore, Univerziteta u Mostaru i Večernjeg list. Panel je održan 22. maja 2019. godine u Mostaru u okviru 18. izdanja manifestacije Večernjakov pečat. Cilj panela je bio da se spoje teorijsko znanje i praksa i da se naglasi značaj inovacija za opstanak na tržištu.
Dr Duraković je naglasio važnost inovacija kao ključnog faktora uspjeha za lokalni biznis u narednom periodu. Obzirom da smo postali dio globalnog tržišta i da se za naše inžinjere natječu globalne kompanije, sa postojećim biznis modelom domaći biznis je u startu nekonkurentan u smislu privlačenja novih i zadržavanja postojećih stručnjaka. On je zaključio da su inovacije prilika da domaće kompanije postane privlačnije domaćim stručnjacima. Inovacije stvaraju značajnu dodatnu vrijednost koja osigurava konkurentne beneficije za zaposlene što u konačnici stvara bolji socijalni standard. Dakle, domaći biznis bez odlaganja mora početi da nudi rješenja zasnovana na intenzivnom znanju (ne intenzivnom manuelnom radnu), i mora prestati biti dio nečijeg rješenja, inače neće imati svijetlu budućnost.
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Dr Durakovic deliver a lecture on application of phase change materials in glazing systems at Istanbul Sehir Univeristy, Turkey on May 9, 2018. Computational modelling issues, limitations, related phenomena as well as possible solutions were addressed.