Utilization of machine-learning technology for a process referred to as “flywheeling” has successfully supported energy management and waste reduction for Lineage Logistics. The global temperature-controlled logistics provider was recognized for these efforts by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Plants Program (Better Plants) this week, earning them a winning position for 2019 Better Practice Awards.

“This great honor from the DOE is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our talented team, and it is quite humbling to be recognized as a leader in energy conservation. Flywheeling is one of the many ways Lineage lives our purpose of transforming the food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the world,” said Greg Lehmkuhl, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lineage.

Invented by Lineage’s Principal Data Scientist, Dr. Alex Woolfe, “flywheeling” takes energy conservation to the next level by eliminating waste and proactively managing energy while reducing cost. These efforts are critical in Lineage’s operations as the company confirmed its North American power consumption alone is comparable to that of a mid-sized city.

Following the launch of the “flywheeling” project, Lineage and Dr. Woolfe received the official utility patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and will be recognized on July 10-11 at the Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit in Virginia.

“We are entrusted with ensuring that billions of pounds of food across the United States and the globe are kept at optimal temperatures throughout the supply chain, and we are obsessed with finding new ways to do this even more safely and efficiently than has ever been done before,” Said Michael J. McClendon President, Lineage Europe & EVP, Network Optimization.

“Better Plants partners such as Lineage are implementing innovative energy efficiency solutions in the industrial space that are cutting costs and energy-use and the Better Practice Awards honor their leadership,” said Valri Lightner, DOE Advanced Manufacturing Office Acting Director.

Source: Lineage Logistics