A method controls the start-up of an oil pump of a gearbox by a brushless electric motor that has no position sensor. The stator coils are powered from the off mode in a constant-current open-loop control sequence until the pump reaches a speed threshold at which speed regulation switches over to closed-loop control on a setpoint corresponding to the lubrication flow rate required to ensure the reliability of the gearbox, but without in so doing exceeding a current threshold indicative of pump seizure, at which point motor control switches back over to the constant-current open-loop control sequence. The open-loop current setpoint is higher than the threshold for switching over to closed-loop control so that in the open-loop control mode the motor torque available at the pump is higher than in the closed-loop control mode.

A lubrication system for supplying a lubricant to at least one lubrication point includes at least one lubricant line and at least one lubricant system component that is connected to the lubricant line. The lubrication system component includes at least one movable element and/or the lubricant line includes at least one movable portion. The system also includes at least one energy-generating element, such as a piezo element or a magnet and coil, configured to interact with the at least one movable element and generate energy from a movement of the at least one moveable element.