is this possible? 1

Now, as strange as this may seem, I am studying to become an engineer who creates power generators... Well, im not that horribly old and need some information. First, are magnets a practical way to drive a turbine, and if not, why?
(also, I think that one defies the law of physics, but hey, what have I got to lose?) Also, what is the most cost effective and practical (as well as to the people and the environment) way of generating power, providing you dont just have a geothermal crevice or a large amount of water nearby? Any suggestions (heck, any replies) would be greatly appreciated... Thank you

 

[jbartos]

Please, would your pose it in electrical engineering, design, consulting or research terms?

 

[Marcus]

I suggest that you go the the library and read everything you can find written by N. Tesla.

 

[Dan76]

Mr Anonymous, If that's Really your name Here's the best answers I can Give.

1: Magnets driving a turbine does not sound possible
A turbine uses a working Fluid (ie. Air, Steam, Water) to drive the Rotor (Part that moves) this in turn drives the Generator which produces power (A tubine can also drive a pump or powertrain on a vehicle like a tank or a ship)

The device you seem to envision sounds like a Motor-Generator Where an Electric motor drives a Generator, this is useful for Converting energy (ex. DC to AC or 50Hz Ac to 60Hz) but will have some losses to to air friction and other phenomena.

Magneto Hydro Dynamics (Ever see "Hunt for Red October"?)
uses a magnetic field to drive an ionized fluid, you might want to look at that if it sounds more like what you were thinking.

2: As far as cost effective and environmentally sound methods of generating power, well I'm no accountant but here's my take on the pros and cons of a few methods:

Hydroelectric and Geothermal: Decent but damming rivers and drilling rock aren't exactly low impact and are very costly to build.

Fossil Fuels: Oil, Coal, Natural Gas (Inluding Diesels, and Gas turbines) Relatively inexpensive but produce greenhouse gasses and other emmissions and are a non renewable resource.

Nuclear: Minimal waste and fuel can be recycled somewhat as Plutonium or Reused in a Reactor like CANDU (Canada) as far as fission products and activated reactor plant materials these are a drawback but are a relatively low volume of waste. Reactors are also relatively safe but can be expensive.

Solar and Wind: Good if you have a nice wide open area plus solar only works during daylight hours, Orbital Solar platforms may work but they would be expensive to build and how do you get the power to Earth?

Alternate "Fossil" fuels: Wood chips (Paper mill by-product), Rice hulls, Land fill gas, etc.. Same problems as fossil fuel but renewable and relatively cheap as they are by-products of existing processes.

You might also Look at co-generation where an Industrial process is combined with a power plant.

Hope this helped, Dan76
P.S. You have some of the most wonderful Quotations I've ever read