Employee Spotlight: Micky Binner – Plug Power
Micky Binner is a Senior Process Engineer supporting Plug’s hydrogen production plants. He works closely with Engineering and Operations teams to design and implement safety and operability improvements across our sites. He also helps develop and maintain operating procedures that provide site teams with clear and consistent direction.
Finding Plug in Pittsburgh
Before joining Plug, Micky worked at an oil refinery in a similar role. He was looking for an opportunity in Pittsburgh to be closer to his family when he came across a Plug position in Canonsburg on LinkedIn.
The role was a strong match for his experience, but the opportunity to help build new hydrogen production facilities was what really caught his attention.
From Design to Reality
One of Micky’s favorite parts of engineering is seeing something he worked on become a real, operating component in the field. His previous work focused mostly on smaller improvement projects. Plug gave him the opportunity to work on entirely new facilities from design through commissioning and long term operations.
He has been able to contribute to projects including the Peachtree plant in Woodbine, Georgia and the Hidrogenii plant in St. Gabriel, Louisiana.
A First Drop of Liquid Hydrogen
The initial production of liquid hydrogen at the Peachtree plant stands out as one of the most memorable experiences of Micky’s career. He had worked on the project for nearly two years before startup and was fortunate to help operate the plant from the control room when it produced its first drop of liquid hydrogen.
The months leading up to that moment included late nights, commissioning work, and plenty of troubleshooting. For Micky, the camaraderie that developed within the team made the challenges worthwhile and continues to motivate the team today.
Taking on New Challenges
Micky says one of the biggest challenges at Plug is working with new process technology while operating at a fast pace. Bringing the Pathfinder facility online was one example. The team had to develop solutions quickly while keeping costs and schedule impacts to a minimum.
For Micky, teamwork is essential when facing challenges like these. He values the different skills and experiences within his team and believes that refusing to give up is an important part of finding a solution.
Excited About Hydrogen
Micky enjoys working in hydrogen because it is a growing industry with opportunities to improve process technology and build new production facilities. He also appreciates the environment of working at hydrogen plants, where the process fluids are generally odorless and less hazardous than those found in many traditional chemical processing facilities.
Doing the Right Thing
Micky follows a simple philosophy: “Do the right thing.”
For him, integrity matters both at work and in everyday life. At Plug, that can mean speaking up when a problem is discovered and being willing to work through disagreements to make sure the job is completed safely and correctly.
Life Outside Plug
When he is not working, Micky enjoys playing bass guitar and spending time with his wife, Ashley. He also enjoys going to the shooting range.
From helping bring new hydrogen facilities online to producing the first drop of liquid hydrogen at Peachtree, Micky’s journey reflects the hands-on engineering and teamwork that continue to move Plug’s hydrogen production efforts forward.
