For a glimpse into the future of a hydrogen-fueled world, look no further than natural gas and the technology that rapidly transformed it into a global commodity.

Following natural gas¡¯s lead, Japan is preparing to trial imports from Australia of superchilled liquid hydrogen. German energy utility RWE AG is promoting hydrogen in a planned liquefied natural gas terminal, while Britain¡¯s National Grid PLC is exploring options for the fuel at its LNG port near London.

¡°In the future, many LNG import terminals will almost certainly allow for the import of both LNG and liquid hydrogen,¡± said Rob Butler, a global projects partner at law firm Baker Botts.