Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing is a centralized computing architecture where data processing, storage, and control logic run in remote data centers (the cloud) rather than on local devices. Cloud-based VPP dispatch introduces latency (hundreds of milliseconds to seconds) and dependency on internet connectivity. If the cloud or network fails, dispatch fails. Cloud is excellent for forecasting, portfolio optimization, and data analytics (tasks that don't require real-time control). But for VPP execution-actual device dispatch, telemetry collection, autonomous operation-edge-first architecture (local control at the site level) is superior. Hybrid architectures (cloud for intelligence, edge for execution) combine the strengths of both.