Grid computing involves using large clusters of computers and large data sets across big networks to tackle computationally and data intensive tasks. It provides seamless access to computing resources distributed globally similar to how the electric grid provides access to power anywhere. The idea of distributed computing has existed for awhile under different names but grid technology now allows it to be realized on a global scale. Major grid projects exist around the world at research institutions and government labs focused on scientific domains like high energy physics, earth systems, and bioinformatics.