How is energy converted into electricity?

Question

How is energy from windmills, watermills, etc. converted into electricity?

Answer 1

The kinetic energy of the wind, water etc.. is exchanged with the the mill, causing it to turn (kinetic energy from one body is transferred to another body).

The axis of the mill contains a metallic loop which rotates with the mill. A permanent magnet is places just below or above the rotating loop. This causes a changing magnetic flux through the loop which produces electrical induction which is actually a current following through the loop. This current can be used to drive electrical equipment.

Answer 2

The reverse of how a motor is driven by electricity...

Answer 3

Mechanical work is used to turn the armature on an electrical generator. A generator is like a motor, but run in reverse.