## 4 Discussion
[PERSON] and [PERSON] [24] recommended categorizing MRI machines by power consumption across different modes, based on data from 13 MRI units from GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, and Siemens Healthineers. For instance, our MRI was rated \"Efficient\" in idle mode (X \(\leq\) 8 kW) and \"Standard\" in ready-to-scan mode (11 kW \(<\) X \(<\) 17 kW). Regulatory authorities should implement a standardized energy usage scale for MRI machines, similar to household appliance labels. In 2023, electricity prices increased due to global sociopolitical factors, such as Europe's post-COVID-19 economic recovery and the Ukraine conflict. The Lazard report [25] suggests that future electricity costs will be influenced by the sources of energy production. It points to a preference for more economical energy sources such as solar and onshore wind over nuclear and fossil fuels, which are extensively utilized in Europe. The shift to variable energy sources is driving demand response, which combines third-party automation with consumer action, as we have implemented. This approach aligns with collective efforts toward carbon neutrality, as highlighted in the report by Reseau de Transport d'Electricite (RTE), France's electricity transmission system operator, which indicates a requirement for 15 GW of flexibility by 2050 [26]. There were certain limitations to this study. Firstly, the data were directly linked to the MRI machine, excluding ancillary electricity consumption such as that of the cooling  
Figure 6: MRI improvements, energy, and time (**A**), extrapolation of CO\({}_{2}\) equivalent savings for France and the United States (**B**). system. However, cooling and building HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) loads outside of the MRI system itself often rise in summer (due to air conditioning) and can similarly fluctuate in winter (due to heating). Because our energy-measurement approach isolated the MRI scanner's direct consumption, such facility-level seasonal variations would not be considered. This is noteworthy because previous research has shown that such consumption represents 44.5% of the total usage [12]. The fate of this thermal energy, which is integrated into the hospital's central cooling network, remains unresolved, and no current initiatives for heat recycling have been explored. Secondly, the cost analysis focused on a winter contract from one supplier, without accounting for global or seasonal variations in energy costs. This limitation may restrict the relevance and accuracy of the analysis in different countries and seasons. Our prices for 2023 are likely to have been adjusted, as European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (E-NTSOE) [27] data from 2022 indicated a substantial increase in electricity costs to an average of 276 EUR/MWh. Our study focused on winter months primarily because electricity tariffs and demand peaks are most pronounced during this period, making it the season with the clearest cost differentials and the greatest potential for operational savings. During summer, while the inherent kWh consumption of the MRI would remain effectively the same per protocol, the pricing structure may be less volatile in France, thus altering the cost-saving potential from scheduling. However, in some regions, warmer temperatures can elevate a facility's overall HVAC loads, which could influence total site energy usage. In the United States, electricity pricing differs substantially from France/Europe, both in absolute cost and in structure. Commercial electricity rates in the US commonly average between 0.10 and 0.15 USD/kWh but vary by seasonal demand patterns [28]. Furthermore, it should be noted that electricity tariffs can fluctuate significantly from year to year. Another limitation is the use of phantoms without considering the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) deposited, which varies for each patient based on factors such as body size.