1. A method for operating an electrochemical energy device, said electrochemical energy device including an electrode material and a guest species, the method comprising: utilizing one or more optical sensors to measure a present operating parameter of the electrochemical energy device, said measured present operating parameter being associated with an operating condition of said electrochemical energy device; transmitting at least one light signal from said one or more optical sensors along an optical fiber to an analyzer, wherein said at least one light signal includes present parameter data that is proportional to said measured present operating parameter; utilizing said present parameter data to detect at least one intercalation stage change of the electrochemical energy device, said detected at least one intercalation stage change being caused by migration of the guest species within the electrode material such that said migration causes a characteristic change in said measured present operating parameter, generating at least one of operating state information and control information in accordance with said detected at least one intercalation stage change.