user: If gas is measured in cubic meters but the energy tariff is given in kWh, how can i determine the actual cost of energy consumption?

assistant: To determine the actual cost of energy consumption when gas is measured in cubic meters (m³) and the energy tariff is given in kilowatt-hours (kWh), you need to follow these steps:

1. Convert cubic meters of gas to kilowatt-hours:
To do this, you need to know the calorific value of the gas and the volume correction factor. The calorific value represents the amount of energy contained in the gas, usually expressed in megajoules per cubic meter (MJ/m³). The volume correction factor accounts for changes in gas volume due to temperature and pressure variations. You can find these values on your gas bill or from your gas supplier.

Here's the formula to convert cubic meters to kilowatt-hours:
```
kWh = (Cubic meters × Calorific value × Volume correction factor) / 3.6
```

The division by 3.6 is because 1 kWh equals 3.6 megajoules (MJ).

2. Calculate the cost of energy consumption:
Now that you have the energy consumption in kWh, you can calculate the cost by multiplying the consumption by the energy tariff.
```
Cost = Energy consumption (kWh) × Energy tariff (cost per kWh)
```
By following these steps, you can determine the actual cost of your gas energy consumption based on the given energy tariff in kWh.

user: Can you give me an example applying that formula, also can you tell me where electricity is cheapest considering energy tariffs?

assistant: Sure, I'd be happy to give you an example!

Let's say you have used 100 cubic meters of gas over the course of a month, and your gas bill shows that the calorific value of the gas is 39.5 MJ/m³ and the volume correction factor is 1.02264. Additionally, your energy tariff is $0.10 per kWh.

To determine the energy consumption in kWh, you would use the formula:

kWh = (Cubic meters × Calorific value × Volume correction factor) / 3.6

Plugging in the values from the example, you would get:

kWh = (100 m³ × 39.5 MJ/m³ × 1.02264) / 3.6
kWh = 1124.94 kWh

So your energy consumption for the month would be 1124.94 kWh.

To calculate the cost of energy consumption, you would use the formula:

Cost = Energy consumption (kWh) × Energy tariff (cost per kWh)

Plugging in the values from the example, you would get:

Cost = 1124.94 kWh × $0.10/kWh
Cost = $112.49

So the actual cost of your gas energy consumption for the month would be $112.49.

In order to provide you with an answer to the request for the cheapest provider, I would need access to real-time information about energy tariffs and pricing. 
Energy tariffs can vary depending on various factors such as location, season, time of day, and energy provider. Additionally, energy tariffs can be subject to change over time due to changes in the energy market and regulatory policies.

However, some regions and countries are known to have lower energy tariffs than others due to various reasons such as availability of natural resources, infrastructure, and energy policies. For instance, countries with large hydroelectric power resources such as Norway and Iceland have relatively lower energy tariffs due to the abundance of renewable energy sources.

It's important to note that the cheapest electricity rates may not always translate to the cheapest overall energy costs since the cost of energy consumption also depends on the energy efficiency of the home or business, energy consumption patterns, and other factors.

If you want to find out more about energy tariffs and pricing in your area, you can contact your energy provider or check their website. They may also provide tools and resources to help you calculate your energy costs based on your usage patterns.