Engineering Management Case Studies

The Chernobyl disaster, which occurred on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union (now Ukraine), stands as one of the most catastrophic events in nuclear history. The explosion not only caused immediate loss of life but also had long-lasting environmental and health impacts that continue to resonate today. This case study delves into the details of the disaster, its causes, consequences, and the lessons learned, reflecting on its impact on nuclear energy policy and public perception worldwide. Background 1. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Chernobyl was a nuclear power plant located near the town of Pripyat in the Ukrainian SSR. The facility had four reactors, each capable of producing around 1,000 megawatts of electricity. At the time of the disaster, Reactor No. 4 was undergoing a test designed to simulate a power outage and assess the reactor's ability to maintain cooling during such an event. 2. Nuclear Energy in the Soviet Union The Soviet Uni...