In the school of permaculture, the second principle – “catch and store energy” – is foundational. This principle reminds us that creating self-sufficient landscape designs means finding ways to close energy cycles. From the harvesting solar energy to the putting food by, this principle encourages us to harvest and store energy in diverse ways. In this article, we are going to define the second permaculture principle and outline practical ways to implement this principle in your permaculture design. Join us as we get into the ways in which we can adopt and implement this principle to construct resilient and flourishing environments.
Catch and Store Energy
The second permaculture principle, “catch and store energy,” focuses on harnessing and utilizing energy effectively within a permaculture system. This principle emphasizes the importance of capturing and storing a variety of renewable resources to close as many energy cycles as possible. By engaging various forms of energy collection, such as rainwater harvesting, solar panels, wind turbines, biomass systems, and more, we can maximize our energy efficiency, reduce costs, and lessen reliance on non-renewable sources. Implementing this principle allows us to create resilient ecosystems and promote long-term sustainability.
What “Catch and Store Energy” Looks Like in Action
In this section, we explore some practical examples of catching and storing energy. By harnessing natural electricity, capturing and storing water, creating soil biomass, seed saving, preserving food, and composting all organic waste, we can tap into sustainable sources of power and fuel. Let’s dive in.
- Harvesting Natural Electricity: One of the most popular methods is solar power, which involves capturing sunlight and converting it into usable electricity through solar panels. Another option is thermoelectric power, which utilizes the temperature difference between two surfaces to generate electricity. Wind turbines are also a viable option, harnessing the power of the wind to spin turbines and generate renewable electricity.
- Catching and Storing Water: Wells tap into underground aquifers, drawing water to the surface. They provide a reliable and consistent supply, particularly in areas with abundant groundwater. Ponds, on the other hand, collect and store rainwater or runoff, serving as reservoirs for irrigation and livestock watering. Swales, with their depressions in the land, help slow down and redirect water, thereby preventing erosion and facilitating its absorption into the soil. Rainwater catchment systems, equipped with gutters and storage tanks, capture rainfall from rooftops, which can then be used for household purposes or landscaping.
- Creating Soil Biomass: Several techniques, such as composting, mulching, sheet mulching, cover cropping, and no-till farming, contribute to the effective generation of biomass. Composting allows organic matter to decompose into nutrient-rich compost that enhances soil fertility. Mulching conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and gradually decomposes, adding valuable organic matter to the soil. Sheet mulching, or “composting in place,” involves layering organic materials to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and build biomass. Cover cropping involves growing specific plants in unused beds to improve soil structure, prevent erosion, and add organic matter when turned into the soil. Furthermore, no-till farming minimizes soil disturbance, preserving beneficial microorganisms and organic residues that contribute to biomass formation.
- Seed Saving: There’s a world of power in a tiny seed. Seed saving involves selecting, harvesting, and storing seeds from plants that demonstrate desirable traits, such as resilience and productivity. By saving seeds, we can create our own seed bank that adapts to specific environmental conditions of our landscape, reducing reliance on commercial seed sources. This practice not only fosters resilience and adaptation to the land but also empowers us to actively participate in the regenerative process of permaculture gardening.
- Storing and Preserving Food: Storage crops, such as root vegetables, grains, and dried beans, serve as a reliable source of sustenance throughout the year. By creating a food cache of these crops, we ensure a steady food supply that can withstand seasonal variations, crop failures, and even external disruptions. Additionally, preserving food through methods like canning, drying, and fermenting not only extends the shelf life of our food but also reduces waste and is very rewarding. By integrating storage crops and preserving techniques into a permaculture system, we can foster resilience and self-sufficiency.
- Recycling Organic Matter: Recycling organic matter is an essential practice to close nutrient cycles. This includes the responsible management of vegetative waste, animal waste, and even human waste (I don’t like using the word, “waste,” but I’ll use it here for lack of a better word). All waste holds a trove of nutrients and potential energy that was pulled from the soil. By flushing it down the toilet, we break that nutrient loop and end up trucking those nutrients in from elsewhere. By utilizing composting toilets and manure composting, we close that loop and better enforce sustainability on the landscape.
More Permaculture Principles
Permaculture principles offer a mental foundation on which we can create our permaculture designs. In this permaculture principles article, we explore these fundamental principles of permaculture, exploring what permaculture really means. The article explores the concepts of diversity, integration, and self-regulation, highlighting how applying these principles can lead to resilient and productive landscapes. Whether in urban or rural settings, permaculture principles guide you towards creating sustainable and harmonious relationships with nature and promoting a more regenerative future.
The New Permaculture Principles
In our article “Permaculture Principles,” the principles of permaculture are reimagined in a more holistic way. It takes the concept of the permaculture principles and expands it to help us understand that we are equal to all of the elements in our design. These new permaculture principles create ease and a sense of connection with the elements in our design, instead of creating a sense of authority. Through changing the landguage of the principles and expanding on their ideas, I have created a set of new principles that I use in my designs and invited you to do the same.
Learn About Permaculture Design
Are you tired of conventional gardening methods that require excessive effort, money and exhaustion of the soil and landscape? Are you ready to create your own permaculture oasis? Look no further than our article on permaculture design. Discover the art of creating sustainable and self-sufficient ecosystems, where plants, animals, and humans coexist harmoniously. Explore the principles of permaculture and learn how to design your own thriving garden that yields abundant produce year after year, while promoting biodiversity and environmental restoration. Discover your inner garden alchemist and embark on a journey towards a greener, more resilient future here.
The Best Permaculture Books
In this article, we explore the fascinating world of permaculture and present the 10 best books that cater to beginners and experts alike. Whether you are just starting to dip your toes into sustainable living or you are a seasoned permaculture enthusiast, these books will offer you invaluable insights and guidance. From practical techniques on designing resilient ecological systems to tips on integrating permaculture principles into everyday life, this curated list is a comprehensive resource that will inspire and empower you on your journey towards a regenerative future. So, grab your favorite beverage, cozy up in your reading nook, and get ready to enjoy the transformative knowledge contained within these pages.
The Free Permaculture Principles Download
Summary: Catch and Store Energy
In permaculture, the second principle “catch and store energy” plays a crucial role in sustainable design. This principle emphasizes the importance of closing and harnessing energy cycles available on the landscape. By employing techniques such as rainwater harvesting, solar power, sheet mulching, seed saving, food preservation, and humanure, we can capture and store energy in a wide variety of forms. These systems not only reduce reliance on external sources but also ensure a more efficient and resilient use of energy, benefiting both the environment and the community (and usually save us money). With the application of the “catch and store energy” principle, permaculture practitioners aim to create self-sustaining ecosystems that promote long-term sustainability and resilience.
What does “catch and store energy” mean to you? How do you plan to materialize this principle? Leave your thoughts in the comments, I would love to hear from you!
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