Researchers from the University of Adelaide and the COE-CSI in Australia have developed innovative electrolysis systems that utilize urea from urine and wastewater to produce hydrogen with significantly lower energy costs compared to traditional water-splitting methods. By generating hydrogen through urea, the systems reduce electricity consumption by up to 27%, making green hydrogen economically competitive with fossil fuel-derived alternatives. The process not only produces harmless nitrogen gas as a byproduct but also offers a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment. The team addressed the challenge of using urine as a urea source by developing a chlorine-mediated oxidation mechanism to prevent unwanted reactions during electrolysis. This mechanism, using platinum-based catalysts, not only protects the system's anode but also enhances hydrogen production efficiency. The research showcases the potential to lower hydrogen production costs, with estimates suggesting that hydrogen produced through this system could be cheaper than grey hydrogen extracted from fossil fuels. The team aims to scale up the membrane-free electrolysis systems for industrial applications that recover green hydrogen and remediate nitrogen-rich wastewater, while also working to develop non-precious metal alternatives to platinum catalysts. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the green hydrogen landscape by offering a cost-effective and sustainable method for hydrogen production.