How does electricity generation work?

Turbine-Driven generators

Most of the electricity generated in the USA and worldwide comes from power plants that use turbines to drive generators. In a turbine generator, a moving fluid—water, steam, exhaust gases, or air—propels a series of blades mounted on the rotor shaft. The force of the fluid on the blades rotates the rotor shaft of the generator. The generator, in turn, converts the mechanical (kinetic) energy of the rotor into electrical energy. Various types of turbines include steam turbines, gas turbines, water turbines, and wind turbines.
Steam turbines are used to generate the majority of the world's electrical energy, constituting about 45% of the electricity generated in the USA in 2021. Most steam turbines have a boiler where fuel is burned to produce hot water and steam in a heat exchanger, and the steam drives the turbine, which powers the generator. Nuclear reactors use nuclear fuel rods to produce steam. Solar thermal power plants and most geothermal power plants use steam turbines. Most of the largest power plants in the USA use steam turbines.
Gas turbines, similar to jet engines, burn gas or liquid fuels to produce hot gases that rotate the blades of the turbine.
Steam and gas turbines can be used as standalone generators in a single cycle or combined in a combined cycle. Combined cycle systems use exhaust gases from one turbine to generate more power in another turbine. Most combined cycle systems have separate generators for each turbine. In single-shaft combined cycle systems, both turbines can drive one generator. Learn more about different types of combined cycle power plants. In 2021, combined cycle power plants delivered about 33% of the generated electricity in the USA.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP), also known as cogeneration, uses heat not directly converted to electrical energy in a steam turbine, gas turbine, or internal combustion engine to generate process heat or for space and water heating. Most of the largest CHP plants in the United States are in industrial facilities, such as pulp and paper mills, but they are also used in many colleges, universities, and government facilities. CHP plants and combined cycle power plants are among the most efficient ways to convert fossil fuels into useful energy.
Hydroelectric turbines use the force of moving water to turn the turbine blades, which power the generator. Most hydroelectric plants use water stored in reservoirs or diverted from a river or stream. These conventional hydroelectric plants accounted for about 6% of the generated electricity in the USA in 2021. Pumped hydroelectric storage plants use the same types of water turbines as conventional hydroelectric plants but are considered energy storage systems (see below). Other types of hydroelectric turbines, called hydrokinetic turbines, are used in tidal and wave power plants. Learn more about different types of hydroelectric turbines.
Wind turbines harness the power of the wind to move the rotor blades, which drive the generator. There are two general types of wind turbines: horizontal-axis (most common) and vertical-axis. Wind turbines accounted for about 9% of the generated electricity in the USA in 2021.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems use the temperature difference between ocean water at different depths to drive a turbine for electricity generation.

Other types of generators

There are many other types of electrical generators that do not use turbines to generate electrical energy. The most commonly used today are photovoltaic (PV) installations and internal combustion engines.
Photovoltaic cells directly convert solar energy into electrical energy. They are used to power devices such as watches and can be connected in panels, which, in turn, can be linked in series to power individual homes or create large power plants. Photovoltaic power plants (PV) are currently one of the fastest-growing sources of electrical energy worldwide. In the United States, PV plants accounted for about 3% of the total generated electricity in 2021.
Internal combustion engines, such as diesel engines, are widely used worldwide for electricity generation, including in many remote villages in Alaska. They are also commonly used as mobile power sources on construction sites and as emergency or backup power for buildings and power plants. Generators with internal combustion engines can use various fuels, including diesel fuel, biomass-based liquid fuels, and biogas, natural gas, and propane. Small generators with internal combustion engines powered by gasoline, natural gas, or propane are often used by construction crews and tradespeople and as emergency power for homes.
Other types of electrical generators include fuel cells, Stirling engines (used in parabolic trough solar thermal systems), and thermoelectric generators.
Electrical energy storage systems include pumped hydroelectric plants, compressed air energy storage, electrochemical batteries, and flywheels. These energy storage systems use electrical energy to charge the facility or device, and the amount of energy delivered by them is less than the amount consumed to charge. Therefore, the energy generated by energy storage systems is considered negative to avoid double-counting energy consumption for charging the storage system.

Perpetuum mobile and converting an alternator into a generator with permanent magnets.

Perpetual motion machine is a concept of a device that would operate indefinitely, generating energy without the need for an external source. However, according to the laws of thermodynamics, it has been established that such a device is impossible to construct. Energy cannot be created from nothing, and there are always energy losses in transformation processes.

As for converting an alternator into a generator with permanent magnets, which is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy using permanent magnets, it is possible but requires specialized skills and technical knowledge. The conversion of an alternator into a generator with permanent magnets is based on the principle of using permanent magnets to generate a magnetic field instead of using an electromagnet in a standard alternator.

To carry out this modification, it is typically necessary to acquire appropriate permanent magnets with the right strength and design, and then adapt the alternator's structure to enable the use of permanent magnets as the source of the magnetic field. This process can be complex and requires precision and a good understanding of the alternator's electrical system.

However, it's important to note that converting an alternator into a generator with permanent magnets may void the device's warranty and requires technical knowledge and experience in the field of electronics. Therefore, it's crucial to consult with professionals or experts in electronics who can provide proper advice and guidance on the conversion process.

How to convert an alternator into a generator with permanent magnets?

Converting an alternator into a generator with permanent magnets can be an advanced process that requires technical knowledge and experience in electronics. Below, I provide a general guide that may help you in carrying out such a modification. However, it's essential to note that each alternator may vary in construction and requirements, so understanding the technical specifications of your specific alternator model and adapting the process accordingly is crucial.

Check the technical specifications of the alternator: Identify the manufacturer, model, and power rating of your alternator. Analyze technical information such as voltage and rated current to have a complete understanding of the device's parameters.
Select suitable permanent magnets: Consult with a supplier of permanent magnets to choose magnets with the appropriate magnetic strength and design for your project. It's important to select magnets that will provide sufficient magnetic force to generate electrical power.
Determine the number of coils: The number of coils in generators can vary depending on the alternator model. Analyze the alternator's technical specifications or consult with an expert to determine the optimal number of coils for your modification project.
Prepare the alternator: Turn off the power and secure the alternator from potential damage. Open the alternator's casing, remove components related to the electromagnet (if present), and prepare the interior for mounting permanent magnets and coils.
Mount the permanent magnets: Install permanent magnets inside the alternator according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Ensure they are properly positioned and securely fastened to provide a uniform magnetic field.
Mount the coils: Install the appropriate number of coils around the permanent magnets. Proper electrical connections between the coils and the alternator terminals will be required. Ensure that the coils are well-insulated and secured.
Check electrical connections: Configure electrical connections between the coils and the alternator terminals according to the specific requirements of your alternator model. Ensure that the connections are safe and reliable.
Close the alternator casing: After completing the modification, ensure that all components are properly secured and safely enclosed. Conduct final tests to verify that the permanent magnet generator has been installed correctly.

It's essential to remember that converting an alternator into a generator with permanent magnets may require additional components and adjustments depending on the specific alternator model. Therefore, it's advisable to consult with an expert in electronics or electrical engineering who can provide you with detailed advice and support for the alternator modification.