In some embodiments, methods of this aspect may include charging and/or discharging an energy storage device. For example, a voltage difference may be applied between the first electrode and a second electrode, such as a charging voltage, in order to charge the energy storage device. It will be appreciated that, in embodiments, the charging may occur rapidly or substantially instantaneously, such as within a period of seconds or minutes or a fraction thereof, depending on the current available from the voltage source and resistive losses between the voltage source and the electrodes. This rapid charging may also occur, in embodiments, without damaging the electrodes or electrolyte. This may contrast with the charging rate of a conventional battery, which may be limited by the kinetics taking place at the battery electrodes or within the electrolyte, or may be limited because charging at a greater rate may result in damage to the structure of the battery, such as electrode damage or electrolyte damage, and accompanying capacity loss. In embodiments, the oxidation/reduction reactions that occur when charging or discharging the energy storage devices occur at or near the electrode surfaces and so the reactions may occur substantially quickly as compared to, for example, intercalation processes or electroplating processes that may occur in conventional batteries. High charge or discharge rates may also or alternatively be aided by the small size dimensions used in the energy storage devices, where only a small physical spacing between electrodes exists, allowing ionic migration between the electrodes to occur rapidly. In embodiments, discharging may occur rapidly or substantially instantaneously, such as within a period of seconds or minutes or a fraction thereof. This rapid discharging may also occur, in embodiments, without damaging the electrodes or electrolyte. In embodiments, a discharge rate may be dictated by the resistance of a load applied between the electrodes of the energy storage devices and/or resistive losses between the load and the electrodes. In embodiments, the energy storage devices may be charged and/or discharged at rates of about C/20, about C/10, about C/5, about C/2, about 1 C, about 2 C, about 5 C or about 10 C or more without inducing damage to the energy storage device, such as damage characteristic of capacity loss, electrolyte oxidation or reduction, electrode destruction, etc. Charging times may also vary depending on charging voltage, charging current, etc. Example charging times may be less than about 1 second, less than about 10 seconds, less than about 30 seconds, less than about 1 minute, less than about 5 minutes, less than about 10 minutes, less than about 30 minutes, between 1 second and 60 minutes, etc. Beneficially, energy storage device embodiments may be discharged to zero charge stored or zero voltage difference between electrodes without inducing damage to the energy storage device, such as damage characteristic of capacity loss, electrolyte oxidation or reduction, electrode destruction, etc.