I think most of the confusion in this thread comes from improper terminology in the power systems field
While it is said that reactive power is generated/consumed, this is not really physically happening, as reactive power is just an effect that stems from the current exchanged between inductances and capacitances on the grid, these being purely reactive don’t consume any power per se (the resistance on the lines does, but the losses are much smaller then the whole reactive power)
The control of reactive power on the grid is of the utmost importance as it determines the voltage. For this reason several methods for “generating” and “consuming” reactive power need to be installed by utilities and grid controllers (e.g. field excitation control on wound rotor generators, synchronous condensers, statcoms, SVCs etc.)
As for the matter of the video, you must keep in mind that a single 150W fridge compressor (I’m assuming a power factor of 0.7 inductive) exchanges 45 var with the grid each cycle, this will offset probably dozens if not hundreds of smoke detectors
Last but not least businesses are charged for reactive power for 2 reasons:
1) it is a deterrent from the utilities, so that they have to install the minimum amount of compensation possible
2) it is a measurable quantity as opposed to the losses caused by reactive power (which are spread all over the grid)