An electrolyteless fuel cell system includes an anode; a cathode; an electrical grid between the anode and cathode; an anode side grid bias electrode; a cathode side grid bias electrode; and an electrical grid power supply, wherein the electrical grid is biased negative with respect to the anode through the anode side grid bias electrode and the electrical grid power supply, or wherein the electrical grid is biased positive with respect to the cathode through the cathode side grid bias electrode and the electrical grid power supply. In electrolyteless electrolyzer mode steam is introduced to the cathode, wherein the electrical grid is biased positive with respect to the cathode through the cathode side grid bias electrode and the electrical grid power supply.