Grid computing is the aggregation, virtualisation and sharing of computing resources for collaboration. A Grid makes compute resources (such as computer processors, data, storage, instruments, and applications) securely and transparently accessible to authorised users and applications, across sites and between organisations.

Grid Computing runs the gamut from the humble low-end PC through clusters to supercomputers. Indeed, through the aggregation of a huge number of Personal Computers (PCs), it is possible to obtain the computing power of a supercomputer. This is typically referred to as PC Grid Computing. For more information, please refer to the article on “Garage-Patch Grids”.

Through the use of PC Grid Computing, several countries have embarked upon national scale @home project. The National Grid Office, together with participating agencies like the Ministry of Education, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, the Singapore Science Centre, universities and research institutes are organising an @home project in Singapore.