An electrochemical battery system in one embodiment includes a first electrochemical cell including an anode with a form of lithium, a first plurality of pressure sensors positioned and configured to sense localized variations in pressure along the anode, a memory in which command instructions are stored, and a processor configured to execute the command instructions to (i) identify an indication of a variation in localized pressure along the anode, and (ii) selectively control the first electrochemical cell based upon the identified indication.