How is mechanical energy turned into electric energy?

Answer 1

A wire moving in a magnetic fields creates electric current.

Moving a coil of wire into a magnetic field creates a voltage across the ends of the coil. The voltage equals the number of turns times the rate of change of magnetic flux.

If a resistor is placed across the coil and it is moved into the field again, current flows in the resistor, creating energy in the form of heat. At the same time a force will be needed to push the coil into the field, thus providing the mechanical energy for this process.

Electrical engineers have to understand how to make the process as efficient as possible.

Answer 2

Mechanical energy can be converted into electrical energy through the use of a device called a generator. When mechanical energy (such as from wind or water flow) is used to rotate the generator's turbines, it induces a magnetic field that generates electrical current. This current can then be harnessed and used as electric energy.