From Watts to Words: Google Breaks Down Gemini’s Energy Per Query

Google recently published a detailed technical report revealing the environmental footprint of its Gemini AI apps—marking the first time a major tech company has shared per-query energy, water, and carbon data at this level of granularity.

Key Findings from Google’s Report

• Energy Use per Prompt: A median Gemini text prompt consumes 0.24 watt-hours (Wh)—roughly the same as watching TV for less than 9 seconds.
• Carbon Emissions: Each prompt emits 0.03 grams of CO₂ equivalent (gCO₂e).
• Water Consumption: About 0.26 milliliters per prompt—equivalent to five drops of water.
• Efficiency Gains: Over the past year, Gemini’s energy use per prompt dropped 33x, and its carbon footprint fell 44x, while output quality improved.

How Google Measured It

Google’s methodology goes beyond just counting active chip usage:

• Includes idle machines, cooling systems, and power conversion overhead.
• Tracks full system dynamic power across its data centers.
• Uses Mixture-of-Experts architecture and custom TPUs (like Ironwood) to optimize compute efficiency.

Industry Reactions

While many praised the transparency, some experts raised concerns:

• Critics argue Google may have omitted indirect water usage and relied on market-based carbon offsets, which could understate the true impact.
• Others say the report sets a new benchmark for responsible AI disclosure, even if it’s not perfect.