A corona discharge ignition system 20 includes an igniter 22 for receiving pulses of electrical energy each having a radio frequency. The igniter 22 emits pulses of electrical field ionizing a fuel-air mixture and providing pulses of corona discharge 24, rather than a continuous, un-pulsed corona discharge over the same period of time. The system 20 includes at least one power supply 48, 50 providing the electrical energy to a corona drive circuit 52 and ultimately to the igniter 22. The system 20 can include a variable high voltage power supply 50 and a local charge storage device 70 for providing pulses of the electrical energy to the corona drive circuit 52. The system 20 provides a robust ignition comparable to a single event corona discharge ignition system, with improved resistance to arc formation, while using a fraction of the energy.