Carbon and nitrogen containing molecules (e.g., carboxylic acids, ammonia, amides) present in wastewater streams can be valorized into hydrogen (H2) and volatile hydrocarbons (VHC's) using an catalytic process at room temperature powered by electricity (i.e., electrocatalytic wastewater treatment). The reaction products (i.e., H2 and VHC) are converted back into electricity, CO2 and H2O using gas turbines or solid oxide fuel cells, providing between 10 and 35% of the electricity demand for the electrocatalytic wastewater treatment