What type of energy conversion occurs in a turbine generator?

In a turbine generator, the primary energy conversion that takes place is from mechanical energy to electrical energy. This process involves the turbine being driven by a fluid, such as steam or water, which converts the energy from that fluid into mechanical motion. As the turbine rotates, it drives the rotor of the generator. This rotor is located within a magnetic field and, as it spins, it induces an electrical current in the stator coils of the generator through electromagnetic induction. Thus, the initial mechanical energy derived from the fluid is transformed into electrical energy, which can be distributed for use in various applications.

Understanding this conversion is vital in power engineering because it highlights the efficiency of energy transfer and the fundamentals of generating electrical power from mechanical sources, which is a predominant method in various energy systems.