Why can't electric suppliers use electric motors to spin the generators?

Answer 1

If you are suggesting a "perpetual motion" scenerio, it would violate the first or second laws of thermodynamics. Many inventors dream of perpetual motion machines, but they are an impossible dream according to the laws of thermodynamics. The second law of thermodynamics says that an engine or process of any type must always have an efficiency of less than 100%. A perpetual motion machine that uses a generator to power the motor that runs the generator requires both the generator and motor to operate with 100% efficiency. This type of perpetual motion machine does not violate the first law of thermodynamics, but violates the second law of thermodynamics. It is a perpetual motion machine of the second kind because it violates the second law of thermodynamics. Not even the cleverest engineer or inventor can build a perpetual motion machine because it would violate either the first or second law of thermodynamics, which are fundamental laws of physics.