An energy conversion system includes a low-impedance generator having at least one armature winding set. The armature winding set includes a plurality of single-phase coils. The system also includes a current source converter assembly electrically coupled to an armature of the generator. The current source converter assembly includes at least one current source converter that includes a current source rectifier coupled to a current source inverter via a DC link and at least one capacitor across the plurality of single-phase armature coils. The capacitor(s) of the current source converter(s) is configured to absorb high frequency components of current pulses generated by the current source converter so as to minimize current ripple in a current applied to the plurality of single-phase coils.