In this work a new procedure for the analysis of the energetic efficiency of distillation processes is presented. The method is based on the analysis of the distribution of driving forces in the column, given by the temperature and composition change across a stage. The exergy balance, traditionally applied only to the whole column, is applied to each stage of the column. The result is the exergy loss profile, which describes the driving force distribution in the column. The shape of the exergy loss profile is then used to identify beneficial column modifications. Results are shown for a 5-component column.