Besides the development of future energy concepts energy efficiency today offers a powerful and cost-effective tool for achieving a sustainable energy future. Successful reduction of energy consumption and emissions requires a systematic approach. Thereby, energy management systems help to successfully reduce the energy consumption and CO(2)e emissions. In the present work, a Structured Efficiency System for Energy (STRUCTese (R)) was developed, which allows the detailed measurement and tracking of energy efficiency in contrast to measuring mere energy consumption. STRUCTese (R) provides full transparency about the status quo and the further improvement potential up to the limit of best available technology. Results for a real plant are presented which show the benefit of such a transparent visualization of energy efficiency. The work shows how the difficult task to measure and improve energy efficiency in a chemical plant can be mastered. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.