I just did that recently you can load a kernel module the driver will start working and the device will appear (if compatibility is setup correctly). You can remove the module and the device will stop and be removed from /dev.
Just for your information (I am not big fan of the product), but there are battery free (energy harvested) switches which can replace copper runs already.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvg_i0GE0Vo