Whole Foods Market at Legacy Place in Dedham and Star Market at the Chestnut Hill Shopping Center in Chestnut Hill have been awarded renewable energy construction grants by the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust.

The trust, which promotes clean energy technologies generated from renewable sources, is part of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.

Both Whole Foods Market and Star Market plan to use fuel cells to convert reformed natural gas into hydrogen for a clean, efficient and reliable power supply. Each store is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2009, according to Chestnut Hill-based developer WS Development.

The grants issued by the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust were part of more than $3 million awarded to nine renewable energy projects taking place throughout the state. According to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, funds for the trust come from renewable energy charges on electric bills, which generate roughly $25 million a year to support renewable energy installations and companies.