Steam engine can be put on any station spot in your hideout (Signpost with house icon). Feed it with coal and it will generate some energy. Can be used once a week.
You can get copper by mining. One mining spot is right next to the bridge with the guard. Amount and type of resourcess depends on your mining score, which is pretty much tool used + str. So if you have low strength and no pickaxe, you might get only rocks and no copper. Wires and mechanisms should be craftable on the machining workbench. Olaf has one in his cave.