Vibrations in the ground are found everywhere. They occur when cars pass by, when machines are operating, or when the earth’s crust moves. For most of us, these are invisible forces. For researchers, however, they represent something far more exciting: an untapped source of clean energy.

By Olav Spanne - Published 04.03.2026

Instead of letting these small tremors disappear, researchers are investigating how they can be converted into electricity. This is done through technologies that respond to movement, bending or pressure, and that are able to generate small but stable amounts of electricity.

“What makes the technology so exciting is that we can extract energy from movements that already exist around us. The vibrations are there anyway, and we can make them useful,” says Claudia Pavez-Orrego, a SINTEF researcher and the project leader for EVIBES.

The project investigates where different vibration sources exist, how they vary, and which technologies can best convert them into energy production. The goal is to develop solutions that can be used where only small amounts of power are needed, such as for powering sensors.

How does this work in practice?

The basic principle behind vibration-powered energy is simple: movement can be converted into electricity. This happens mainly in two ways. One is by using piezoelectric materials, which create voltage when they are bent, stretched or compressed.

When crystals are subjected to pressure, an electrical polarization occurs, that is, a build-up of electrical charge at one end of the crystal. The resulting electrical voltage varies proportionally according to the pressure intensity.

The same property is observed when the crystal is subjected to tension, but with a resulting opposite voltage.

Source: Wikipedia

The other way is by electromagnetic induction, which you are probably familiar with from your kitchen. Induction is the electric current that occurs when a magnet moves past a current-carrying conductor. Any type of current-carrying conductors can be used, but copper wire is the most common, because of how well the material conducts electricity.

Both methods can convert continuous vibrations into energy – small amounts, but enough for sensors, measurement systems and equipment that needs to function 24/7, where access to the power grid or frequent battery replacement are not options.

Our increasing dependence on sensors

One of the biggest advantages of vibration-driven energy is that the source never runs out. In urban environments, small tremors are constantly created by traffic, construction work and public transport.

In nature, geological movements create a continuous background noise of that we do not notice, but which technology can exploit. Because vibrations are both widespread and stable, they become a highly accessible and weather-independent energy source.

Often, even small amounts of energy can be very valuable. Vibration energy harvesting devices can power sensors that monitor bridges, water systems, the environment, natural hazards, earthquake activity or water quality, even in areas where power grids and battery supply are unrealistic.

From theory to reality

The research work started by mapping different types of vibration sources, from natural vibrations like earthquakes to man-made vibrations from mining or traffic, for example.

The scientists then developed digital models of vibration harvesters based on piezoelectricity or electromagnetic induction. The team fine-tuned them by running extensive computer simulations.

Finally, prototypes were made and tested in a vibration rig in the laboratory. Here, the researchers were able to mimic vibrations as they actually occur in real life.

“Understanding how this technology works in the lab is one thing. Getting it to work in the field is something else entirely. Vibrations vary enormously between city centres, mountainous areas, industrial areas and seismically active zones. That’s why we had to test the technology in different environments,” says Gaukås.

Small amount of energy with great significance

Vibration harvesting is not intended to replace solar, wind or hydropower. These established technologies are far more efficient wherever they can be used. But as a supplement, vibration harvesters can play an important role in the green transition.

According to the research scientists, the technology is particularly useful in places where solar, wind and hydropower are not viable, such as deep inside mines, underground in CO2 storage facilities, on the seabed or inside closed structures.

Taking the technology into the world

SINTEF researchers are collaborating on the project with colleagues at Uppsala University in Sweden and the Universidad de Chile.

So far, they have developed two different prototypes. The research group in Chile has created an energy harvester based on electromagnetic induction, while SINTEF has developed a variant that uses piezoelectric materials. The project is now nearing its end, and the results from the many hours of computer simulations and laboratory tests are ready to be tested in the field.

“It will be exciting to see whether the results we’ve obtained with the vibration rig can be reproduced in the real world. We already have good agreement between the computer simulations and the vibration tests that we did in the laboratory in Oslo, so now we just need to show that the technology works in the field,” says SINTEF researcher Didrik Småbråten.

Småbråten has primary responsibility for the project’s computer simulation work at SINTEF.

In the final phase, the technology will be exposed to very different environments, including in the local community of Cuya in northern Chile. This provides the researchers with the opportunity to see how the energy harvesters behave under actual conditions and with completely different vibration sources.

First on the priority list is to operate a microsensor like a simple pressure or gas sensor. If this test is successful, more energy-intensive electronics like telemetry (data transmitters) can be included.

“Because the EVIBES project is funded through the Global Research Council’s programme for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the project also has a clear social mission. An important part of the work is to develop technology that can benefit low-income communities. Therefore, one of the basic principles of the project has been to make the technology as cost-effective as possible.

“Our dream is to develop something that can improve the everyday life of residents in low-income communities,” says Pavez Orrego.