(EnerNOC Inc.: Boston) -- EnerNOC Inc., a provider of energy management applications for the smart grid, recently announced that it is partnering with a Virginia Tech research group to monitor energy usage data across multiple sites to study “lean” manufacturing strategies. The Wood Innovation Research Group will use EnerNOC’s web-based energy management applications to gather energy usage data from three Virginia wood product manufacturers and analyze trends in energy usage to identify opportunities for improved efficiency. Merrillat, Ten Oaks Flooring Co., and Morgan Lumber will contribute data to the project.

Uniquely, this project explores integrating energy efficiency into lean manufacturing techniques, which are followed by leading manufacturers worldwide. Traditionally, lean thinking has been focused on reducing seven forms of waste, including transport, inventory, and defects, among others. This application of EnerNOC’s technology aims to reveal how manufacturers can identify waste in energy use and minimize its effect on the manufacturing process.

 …