Turbines transforms kinetic energy to mechanical energy
& Generators transform mechanical energy to electrical energy.
So usually they are used together, eg. in windmills, etc.
Also see Trompe page
This is a good toy project to understand the basic workings of an electricity generator.
Scale-up & adapt to whatever rotary action (from water, wind, steam...) you have available to generate renewable energy.
Nicola Tesla designed a bladeless turbine in 1910. He Patented a design in the US on 6th of May 1913. in 1916 Tesla describes the Tesla Turbine as his best invention to date.